Armed raiders threatened children at gunpoint during a terrifying £50,000 robbery at a successful businessman's family home.

Restaurateur Riaz Sabir’s wife and daughter were bundled into the bathroom by five men, who then threatened to shoot the other children unless they were given cash and jewellery.

It is believed the raiders may have targeted the Norbury home of Mr Sabir, owner of the Mirch Masala chain, to steal a dowry which was part of his son’s recent wedding.

One of the women was also punched in the side of the head during the attack, which happened in the early hours of February 1 in Briar Avenue, Norbury.

Detective Sutton Lee Bourne from Croydon's robbery squad said: “This was a frightening ordeal for the family.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen something on the night, or who may know who is responsible to come forward to police with any information.”

The intruders were described as four black men and one white man aged between 18 and 25 years old.

Police said they believed the gang fled on foot towards Covington Way.

Mr Sabir has forged a restaurant empire throughout London since opening the first branch of Mirch Masala in Norbury in 1995, expanding to Croydon, Tooting, Ilford, Southall and Olympia.

The businessman has installed a hi-tech security system on his home since the attack in an effort to deter further robberies.

A spokeswoman for Croydon police said: “Police were called to an address in Briar Avenue in the early hours of 1 February 2010 following reports of a robbery at the house.

“It is believed that five suspects broke into the house, threatening family members at the address with a gun and stole a number of items including jewellery and a quantity of cash.

“One suspect also assaulted one of the victims by punching her in the side of the head.”

Anyone with information can contact the robbery squad on 020 8649 1377, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.