A burglar smashed through the front door of a Wisbech flat to rob a woman of her family Christmas!
The haul included a gold chain and pendant, a new X-Box, four necklaces, a pair of trainers and perfume.
Kayleigh Maxwell splashed out £2,500 on presents to make the festive season one to remember after a difficult year for her family.
But an intruder broke into her flat and stole the gifts that were already wrapped for her young nieces and nephews.
A specialist sensory light for her two-year-old niece who has brain damage as well as sentimental jewellery were among the items taken.
Ms Maxwell, a mental health and disabilities support worker, said: “Our Christmas has been completely ruined.
“I don’t know how anyone can possibly break into someone’s home and steal an entire family’s presents. I’m absolutely devastated.”
She said: “We have lost four family members this year, so I was determined for us to have a good Christmas.
“I’ve been really careful with my money, buying odd items here and there since July, and I was especially looking forward to seeing my nieces and nephews faces when they opened their gifts.”
Det Con Ralph King, who is investigating, said: “It was devastating for the victim to come home to find her front door smashed in and all the Christmas presents she’d wrapped gone from the table where she’d left them.
“I would urge anyone with any information about where these items are now or who recognises the person on the CCTV to contact police as soon as possible.”
Police have released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to in connection with a burglary in which the Christmas presents were stolen.
The flat, in Alexandra Road, Wisbech, was burgled on the afternoon of December 9 and all the presents stolen along with jewellery.
The intruder got in by smashing the front door.
The most sentimental piece stolen was an 18-carat cold chain and pendant of two baby footprints with ‘Kayleigh Louise’ and ‘23-4-1993’ engraved on it. It also has a diamond set in the middle.
Other items stolen include:
•A limited edition Leonardo Collection elephant - a grey resin elephant about 16 inches high, it is a baby with the trunk curled up.
•A new X-Box One controller
•An X-Box One headset
•A 10 TB external hard drive for the X-box
•Four necklaces
•A pair of trainers
•A silver guitar pick
•Perfume
DC King said: “The force is prioritising burglary as part of Operation Hunter, which aims to put offenders before the courts while urging residents to take home security seriously.”
Anyone with information should contact DC Ralph King, at Wisbech CID, on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
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