RESIDENTS were left terrified after burglars smashed into their Winsford homes in the early hours of the morning, stole cars and sped off.
One intruder hurled a rock through a patio door and drove off in a BMW - another burglar climbed in through an upstairs window and ransacked a kitchen searching for car keys.
One mum has spoken about the frightening ordeal that has left her family traumatised.
"There was an almighty crash, a massive bang like a shattering sound," said the mum-of-two, too scared to be named. "We were all sleeping upstairs when some scum chucked a rock through our patio door.
"My partner jumped up, ran downstairs and heard the car start up.Everything was rammed up against the front door so he couldn't get out. 
"My little boy often gets up early and goes down to watch TV. He could have been up. It's scary to think what could have happened. My partner could have confronted him."
The burglar snatched the keys to their BWW and drove off along Station Road at 6.10am on Saturday, June 15. 
Hours earlier at around 2.40am, an intruder climbed into a house on Nixon Drive through an upstairs window in a similar break-in.
The police are investigating. It is not yet known if the two incidents are linked.
"A car can be replaced but it's what they leave in your head, all the sleepless nights" said the terrified mum. "The boys still feel nervous. My little lad won't sleep without the light on and has to have the dog beside his bed.
"It has unsettled the whole family. It all happened so quickly. Your home is your safe place yet it has been invaded. You work hard for what you've got yet some people think they've got the right to break in and take it. It infuriates me, it is so wrong."
A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "Police were called to Nixon Drive after a report of a burglary. The incident took place at 2.48am and a quantity of cash and a BMW was stolen."
Anyone with information should call the police on 101, quoting incident number IML 428610.
Police confirmed they were also called to Station Road after a report of a theft of a car. This vehicle has since been recovered by officers.
Anyone with information should call the police on 101, quoting incident number IML 428612.

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A similar break-in and theft of a car was also reported in Wharton on the same morning and another vehicle was stolen from a house on Nixon Drive last Thursday.