Raiders take £40,000 jewellery from disabled Burnley pensioner

The vulnerable 61-year-old, who suffers from fibromyalgia and arthritis, told the Express she had not been able to sleep properly since the theft of the antique Victorian jewellery, which she has collected over 50 years.

She said: “I have been collecting antique jewellery since I was 11-years-old, but I am more upset about the theft of the locket.

“It contained a lock of my mother’s hair. All I want returning is that, it is very sentimental to me.

“The burglary has turned me into a nervous wreck – I haven’t been able to sleep properly since it happened.”

The Catholic grandmother said some of the items were important to her faith, including a heavy gold necklace with a crucifix as usually seen on a Catholic tabernacle.

The burglary took place sometime between 4pm on Thursday October 24th, and 2pm on Saturday October 26th, at a semi-detached house in Colne Road.

The offenders gained access through the back garden, smashing a glass panel on a rear wooden door before searching the bedrooms and escaping with the jewellery.

PC Ash Patel said: “The 61 year-old victim lives alone at the address and has been left extremely shocked and traumatised by the incident.

“Many of the pieces of jewellery are distinctive in appearance and in particular there is a stolen brooch which contained a lock of hair from the victim’s mother which she is particularly devastated about. This specific item obviously holds huge sentimental value and I would appeal to anybody with any information about this burglary or the possible whereabouts of the jewellery to come forward.”

Anyone with any information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org.