Almost a week on from a horrific burglary, a community remains in shock as police hunt for the "violent and dangerous" armed robber.

The gunman in a balaclava - who reportedly had a sawn-off shotgun - stripped two young entrepreneurs and their mother of expensive jewellery at 5.45pm on Wednesday.

Police have yet to release any details or pictures of the expensive jewellery they were forced to take off and the burglar stole from the safe at their multimillion pound mansion which backs onto Kingswood Golf Course.

During the break-in the armed robber punched Catherine Stiff, the wife of millionaire Robert Stiff, and attacked one of her two daughters who run a fashionable boutique in Banstead High Street.

Chloe and Katie Stiff’s shop, RBYG, was closed yesterday afternoon and fellow business people expressed their sympathy to the family over the ordeal.

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The sisters with Olympian Joanna Rowsell who was guest of honour at their boutique's opening 

One shop worker in the High Street said her thoughts were with the "nice girls" and their "sweet" mum who sometimes helps out at their high street fashion boutique.

She said: "We were horrified. It’s terrible to hear that, we were really surprised. Everyone’s shocked."

Another nearby businesswoman said: "We noticed they were shut last week. We were shocked when we heard. It’s just awful, really bad.

"It must have been so terrifying for them. They seem really nice, pleasant people."

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Their high street fashion boutique

The women were left in shock and have not returned to their boutique but a man, believed to be their brother, has been in to open it up and serve customers.

A fellow shop owner said she had heard that police visited the golf course to warn people that they must lock their car doors.

She said: "It’s awful. You don’t expect it to happen, especially if there’s a firearm. It’s scary really. They are lovely girls who are trying to get their business going."

Olympic gold medallist Joanna Rowsell was the guest of honour when the boutique, the culmination of the sisters’ dreams, opened in 2012.

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The shop yesterday afternoon

Their Zimbabwe-born father is a successful entrepreneur, best known for founding healthcare recruitment company Team24, and is an active patron of the Prince’s Trust.

A neighbour, who heard a helicopter on the night of the robbery, said: "They were probably scouring the golf course. There’s big gates and a wall at the front so it would be quite difficult to break in through the front."

He said he had seen police officers searching the hedgerows and verges last week.

"It’s very unfortunate that it has happened. I feel very sorry for the people. They have had a difficult week I’m sure," he said. "It’s awful to think what happened in the house. It turns your stomach."

Police said the robber might have staked out the property beforehand, but the neighbour was not afraid that he would return to Kingswood.

He said: "I don’t think he’s anywhere round here, I imagine he’s long gone. I think it’s extremely unlikely that he will be back again."

The family itself is remaining silent and yesterday referred all questions to Surrey Police.

Detective Inspector Paul Gordon said: "The offender is clearly a dangerous and violent individual who will go to great lengths to get what he wants and anyone who has their suspicions around someone they know should share this information with officers."

The stocky robber is a white and about 6ft 4ins and spoke with a London accent. He wore a black jacket and black leather gloves.

Anyone who has been offered jewellery which they believe may have been stolen in this burglary or has any other information which may connect to this offence to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference 45140095728.

The independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.