Two hooded men, one of them armed, escaped with a minimal haul this evening when they forced their way into a house in Sta Venera while a family of two adults and two children were in.

The incident happened at about 7.30 p.m. in St George's Street.

No one was hurt, the police said.

According to initial indications, the family had locked the door and gone upstairs. At one time a loud noise was heard. A woman who was upstairs went down to investigate and saw the men, with one of them holding the gun. They left the house without further incident, grabbing what they could on the way out.

Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna is holding an inquiry.