THE police have once again appealed to members of the public to be more vigilant and proactive in avoiding being victims of crime.

This after a retired elderly couple from Gauteng, who had moved into their new home in Freeland Park, Scottburgh, on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, were allegedly robbed at gunpoint by three men.

The incident happened barely five days after they moved into their new home.

Police spokesperson Captain Vincent Pandarum said the couple, both aged 69, were allegedly robbed on Sunday night.

"It is alleged that the couple were asleep at about 2pm on Sunday when they were awoken by three balaclava-clad men, one of whom was armed with a gun," Pandarum said.

"The men had gained entry to the house through an open window."

Pandarum said the couple was forced to lie face down on the bedroom floor with the gunman watching over them. The other two ransacked the house.

"When police arrived at the scene they found the contents of the wardrobes and cupboards strewn all over the floor," he said.

"The suspects helped themselves to property including a cell-phone, money, photographic equipment and jewellery.

"Fortunately, the couple was not harmed," he said.

The Scottburgh SAPS detectives are investigating a case of house robbery and have made an appeal for anyone with information that might help in the investigations, to contact Inspector Hazel Govender or Constable Yogi Thulkana on 039-978-1900.

"Open windows and valuable property lying unattended within sight are an invitation to opportunistic criminals," Pandarum pointed out.