The 83-year-old man and the 80-year-old woman were at home in Waree Dr, Hillvue, when the teens, described as 13 to 14 and Aboriginal in appearance, forced a lock on a screen door and a sliding door to break into the house about 8pm on Sunday.

Once inside they grabbed two knives from the kitchen and confronted the elderly couple but fled shortly after with just the knives.

They were last seen running towards Duri Rd. One was wearing a red hooded jumper and the other a khaki-coloured hooded jumper. 

Detectives returned to the crime scene, which has been forensically examined by specialist police, on Monday afternoon as part of their investigation.

Investigators are appealing for anyone that might have seen the teens in the hooded jumpers on Sunday night, either before or after the break-and-enter.

Police believe someone might have seen them as they ran towards Duri Rd.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Tamworth police on 6768 2999.