Hooded raiders tied up and threatened an elderly couple before ransacking their home.
Three men burst into the home of Edward and Lily Young, who are both in their 70s, before subjecting them to a 15-minute ordeal in Dallington, near Battle.
The trio, all wearing balaclavas, threatened the Youngs before fleeing with items on Saturday evening.
Detective Constable Michael Ashcroft, of Senlac CID, said: "This was a very callous and nasty attack on two defenceless elderly people in their own home.
"It is a priority to try to catch whoever was responsible for this."
Anyone with any information should call Mr Ashcroft on 0845 6070999.
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