Masked men broke into the home of an Asian family and screamed: “We are going to kill you. Isis scum.”

Two members of the family were at home off Langworthy Road, in Salford, when a gang smashed the patio windows. Three men wearing masks, and armed with machetes and knives burst into the property at about 10pm on Wednesday night. The gang did not ask for cash or jewellery after making the racist threat. It is understood police are still investigating whether anything could have been taken. After the terrifying incident the family of four went to stay with relatives elsewhere in Greater Manchester.

Local ward councillor, John Warmisham, said: “This is an appalling incident and will not be tolerated in Salford. “It appears it was purely a nasty racist attack – but at a level I have never heard of before. Apparently the family have been targeted for racial abuse before.”

Coun Warmisham added: “There are not that many Asian families in the Langworthy ward, but we do have a number of Arab and foreign students who live in area while attending Salford University. I would urge anyone who has information to contact the police.”