A man, woman and young child were threatened by five men armed with metal bars and a suspected firearm during an aggravated burglary in the Shankill area of north Belfast.
The incident happened shortly before 10pm last night (Thursday).
Nothing is understood to have been taken during the incident, and although no one was injured, the occupants were left badly shaken.
Detective Sergeant Gardiner said: “Shortly before 10:05pm, it was reported that five men armed with metal bars entered a house in the area. It is believed that one man was armed with a suspected firearm during the incident.
“It was reported that the man armed with the suspected firearm threatened a man in his 40s, a woman in her 20s and a young child during the incident.”
The Detective Sergeant said enquiries are continuing and police are appealing to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 1448 4/4/19.
Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.