BURGLARS stole five luxury vehicles from a family’s driveway as they slept – then returned for cash and gold just a few hours later.

The Johal family, of The Green in Wanstead, have become pillars of the community since moving to the area 23 years ago.

But their lives have been turned upside down after they were targeted in what is believed to have been an intricately planned raid.

During the first break-in, at around 4am last Thursday (September 10), the gang stole a red Lexus Hybrid, a silver Lexus Jeep, a black Mercedes B Class, a grey Mercedes Sport 500 and a Yamaha R6 motorcycle.

They then returned at around 9am to take money and jewellery.

Harps Johal, 27, who lives with his elderly parents, wife and brother, said: “I got a call from my wife when I was on the way to work to say she could hear people in the house again.

“I was so scared about what was going to happen.” He ran home to find that the thieves had got in via a window and snatched his parents’ jewellery and cash.

He said: “I just couldn't believe it. To think they had been in my house again was sickening.”

The family are still calculating the total value of the cash and jewellery which was stolen, but the vehicles alone are believed to be worth at least £170,000.

Mr Johal said: “Nothing like this has ever happened to us since we have lived in Wanstead. It’s completely shocked us.”

The family runs a successful firm of chartered surveyors in the High Street which raises thousands of pounds each year for local charities.

Mr Johal’s brother Amerdeep, 31, said: “The police told us that there had been other recent break-ins further up in St Mary’s Avenue. It’s like the area is being specifically targeted.”

Detective Inspector Phil Davies of Redbridge Police warned that residents should take extra security precautions to deter gangs of car thieves who are increasingly targeting wealthy outer London boroughs.

Anyone with information on either theft should call Redbridge Police on: 8345 2681