Victim speaks of burglary misery

A 78-year-old woman from Hove has allowed a letter written to police to be made public to highlight the misery burglars bring to their victims.

The woman, named only as Mrs Y, lives alone and has been burgled three times, with heirlooms and a debit card taken.

"I've had my life turned upside down. My nerves are in a shocking state and it's affected my health," she said.

Sussex Police said they hoped the letter would be an incentive for people to help bring burglars to justice.

They stole my mother's birth certificate and antiques handed down by my beloved father Mrs Y

"My officers return to the police station with heartbreaking stories," said Insp Steve Curry.

"Elderly people have had heirlooms and prized possessions stolen, handed down through generations and from loved ones who have since passed on."

Mrs Y said the burglaries, which happened over a period of years, had robbed her of valuable possessions which could never be replaced.

"I wanted to research my family history and they stole my mother's birth certificate and antiques handed down by my beloved father and much prized," she said.

"They literally stole my identity - I kept a book with every address I would ever need, all of my friends' addresses and every telephone number and unfortunately a record of my debit card.

"One of the thieves left Hove and used my debit card that night three times to draw out £1,000. I was left with nothing. I had no money and couldn't ring anybody - I was helpless."

'Place a mess'

An earlier burglary, when jewellery was taken and her home ransacked, took place while she was away.

"The place was in a mess - I haven't been away since," said Mrs Y.

On another occasion, she got up one night and found a man in her hallway.

"I opened my mouth to say 'what are you doing in my house' but nothing came out. I opened the front door and shouted for help but there was no response.

"I believe the burglar entered my bungalow through a neighbour's garden."

The woman wrote to Insp Curry in response to an article in a local newspaper in which he offered a reward of £500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any burglar.

She said the article had brought her hope.

"Please do your very best to find these criminals who wreck people's lives," she said.