Over £20,000 of jewellery stolen in Tadley

Burglars believed to have struck twice in one day and haul includes Lord's cricket tickets

BURGLARS made off with more than £20,000 worth of jewellery and tickets for a match at Lord's Cricket Ground after two Tadley homes were raided recently.

On Monday (March 28), between 7.50am and 8pm, burglars forced entry to a cottage in Winston Avenue and stole jewellery which included a 60-year-old's cufflinks and men's wristwatch, and tickets for the cricket at Lord's.

A second home was burgled sometime between 8.40am and 3.40pm, in West Street. The property was broken into after the thieves gained access by unlocking the door via the letterbox.

Two laptops, two digital cameras, a video camera and more than £20,000 worth of jewellery were stolen. It is thought that the items were removed from the house in a black and white swimming bag, which had also been stolen.

Pc David Cook, of Hampshire police, said: “These burglaries occurred in a quiet area of the town and we are considering whether they are linked.

“Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the area on Monday, or see someone carrying these items from the address?

“Also, if you are offered cricket tickets to Lords this summer, please check to make sure they are not stolen. Also, if you are offered any items of jewellery for sale, please get in touch. These items are of great sentimental value to the victim so if you have any information that can help us recover them, please contact us.”

Anyone with any information should contact Pc Cook at Basingstoke police station on 101, via the website at www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/contact/message_officer.htm or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.