POLICE say jewellery worth thousands of pounds, including family heirlooms of huge sentimental value, has been stolen in a day-time burglary.

Burglars forced their way into a property in The Latchen, Longhope, between 9.15am and 6.30pm on Thursday, December 5, and broke into a safe.

They stole more than 70 precious items, including heirloom vintage gold wedding rings and an Egyptian fish-shaped brooch made by a child for her mother – described as ‘priceless’ by its owners.

Also taken were a Longines Conquest 1950s watch worth more than £750; a silver christening cup; cut-glass perfume bottles; a gold and diamond ring set in a daisy shape worth more than £1,000 and other rings; ear-rings; brooches; bracelets; necklaces, including a bespoke silver necklace with silver hearts, pearls and gems, vintage buttons and handmade beads worth more than £250; and a 1960s Tufty Club road safety campaign badge.

Some of the stolen items were found dumped nearby, along with jewellery boxes and paperwork.

Gloucestershire Police said they would like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the Latchen area on December 5 or is aware of any jewellery being offered for sale in unusual circumstances.

Sgt Paul Jones, from the Forest’s Force Response Unit, said: “This was a particulary brazen burglary committed during the daytime by offenders who seemed to know what they were looking for.

“The stolen items have a high monetary value, but more importantly they are of great sentimental value to their owners.

“We want to find the offenders and, if possible, get some of these items back, so any help we can get from members of the public would be welcome.”

Sgt Jones added that the police are running an anti-burglary campaign highlighting a ‘WIDE’ combination of security devices which can provide 49 times more protection against house burglary.

A ‘WIDE’ combination includes: window locks, internal lights on sensors, double or door deadbolts, and external lights on sensors.

For more information see the campaigns section of the Gloucestershire Police website at www.gloucestershire.police.uk