JEWELLERY worth thousands of pounds and of huge sentimental value to its owners has been stolen in a day-time burglary at Longhope.

Burglars forced their way into a property in Latchen between 9.15am and 6.30pm where they broke into a safe.

They stole more than 70 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.

A Longines Conquest watch, a silver christening cup, cut-glass perfumes bottles, rings, ear-rings brooches, bracelets, necklaces and a 1960s Tufty Club road safety campaign badge.

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

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

Sgt Paul Jones, from the Force Response Unit in the Foreat of Dean, 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 www.gloucestershire.police.uk