A Melbourne family of five is reeling from a terrifying ordeal after a gang of teenagers armed with machetes attempted a break-in at their Thomastown residence.

Faisal Nasim, 43, was jolted awake just before 6 a.m. by loud banging at his front door.

The teens arrived in a white vehicle and demanded that Nasim hand over his car keys.

Upon Nasim’s refusal, the group initially retreated to their car, but the situation quickly escalated.

“They went back to their vehicle, and then one of them suggested, ‘let’s grab the machetes and return’,” Nasim recounted.

Nasim was forced to protect his home and his family, including three children, as the teens tried to break into his home.

“[I] went inside, tried to hold the door back,” he said.

“They had knives and machetes in their hands. They were like young kids. 

“They tried to break in again, then they just ran away.”

The would-be robbers were scared off by a neighbour who called police as they sped off in their car.

They still have not been found, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

“We urge any residents that have not yet been approached by police to review their CCTV cameras and come forward if they think they have information that can assist the investigation,” acting Senior Sergeant Steven Smith said.

It puts more focus on the Victorian government’s attempts to crack down on crime, especially on a machete and knife amnesty that is supposed to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals.

Despite claims from authorities that the measures are having an impact on crime, Nasim is sceptical.

“I feel like it’s not working. We have to be more hard on these [people],” he said.

“I want to work and I want to do things, and then these people come and try to ruin your life.”