Christmas heartbreak as thieves steal gran's presents (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Christmas heartbreak as thieves steal Cirencester gran's presents

5:00pm Thursday 20th December 2012 in News By Laura Shack

A GRANDMOTHER has been left clutching at wrapping paper after a gang of grinches ransacked her Cirencester home and stole hundreds of pounds worth of Christmas presents.

The burglars forced their way in through the back door of the 64-year-old's house on Cranhams Lane on the evening of Tuesday, December 11.

The woman, who asked not to be named, told the Standard she returned home at around 10pm to find all of the lights had been switched on and the curtains drawn.

When she entered the front door she said she felt "sick" at what she saw.

"Every single drawer, cupboard and wardrobe had been pulled open and emptied," she said. "They trashed the place."

She said that on finding a stash of presents already wrapped in preparation for Christmas morning, the thieves had ripped off the paper and loaded around £600 worth of gifts into two large bags, taken from a wardrobe.

They continued to search the house, stealing around £500 in cash and several pieces of jewellery.

Not content with their hoard, she said they even stole eggs and bacon from the fridge and a kettle, so the 64-year-old could not even make a cup of tea to settle her nerves.

The grandmother said she had already installed a new burglar alarm system, but the break-in had made her "paranoid".

"I hope they get caught," she said. "Don’t they realise how shattering something like this is for people?"

Gifts and other items were also stolen from four homes in Northleach over the weekend.

A property in Fortey Road and three homes on Nostle Road were broken into overnight between Friday and Saturday.

Victims reported Christmas presents and jewellery had been stolen.

Gloucestershire police are investigating whether the Northleach burglaries are linked to three Tewkesbury break-ins on Saturday night where nothing was stolen.

Police have advised householders to leave lights on if properties are empty during the evening to deter opportunist thieves.

Information on any of these incidents can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org