A Kempsey family is pleading for the crime in the community to stop following a home invasion that targeted their 21-year-old daughter in West Kempsey on Monday night.
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The 21-year woman was home alone at around 10.30pm after finishing work.
"She was waiting for a friend to come over and they were going to go and get a coffee together because they both work late," the victims mother, Jamie Roberts, said.
"She heard noises at the back door and got up to check, she thought it was her friend but instead she was faced with three intruders armed with kitchen knives and machetes."
The three perpetrators were also wearing hoodies and bandannas to cover their faces.
"They asked our daughter for money and pushed her back inside the house towards the lounge room."
This wasn't the first incident where the young woman had been targeted. Her car was broken into a week before this incident and her wallet stolen.
"She didn't have any money on her and told them that she had already been robbed. They went through her purse and took some change before taking her into the bedroom and going through her jewellery," Jamie said.
The thieves also took the 21-year-old's car keys and fled through the back door of her home.
By this time, the 21-year-old's friend had arrived and parked her car behind the victim's, blocking the thieves from stealing the vehicle.
"They attempted to open the door of my daughter's friend's car but she screamed and they ran off," Jamie said.
Both women then went to the Kempsey Police Station and reported the incident.
"She wasn't injured, and we're very grateful for that. It could have been a lot worse and it's scary to think of what could have happened," Jamie said.
"I don't think it has sunk in for her how lucky she was.
"She has lived in the house for about six months and hasn't had any other issues except for these two that happened within a week of each other.
"She is now moving into another house in a different part of town."
The family is calling on the community to help curb the crime rate in Kempsey.
"Enough is enough, we as a community need to take action to stop this from happening. The police are doing all they can, but it's still a big issue in the community.
"It shouldn't matter the colour of your skin, everyone should feel safe in their community. It's a lovely place to live, but the crime is getting out of hand.
"Everyone should have the right to feel safe in their own home and we don't want this to happen to other people in the community."
Investigations are continuing and anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Kempsey Police on 6561 6199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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