Thatcham mother appeals for help after home is burgled while family slept
Claire Palfrey's Simmonds Field home was burgled over night between 11.30pm on Tuesday, November 27 and 6.20am on Wednesday, November 28.
Mrs Palfrey, aged 45, her husband Neil, aged 48 and their two children Jessica aged 10 and Adam aged six, went to bed as usual on the night of the burglary after locking the house up and only noticed their was a problem when leaving the house the following day.
She said: "I got the children their breakfast and then realised the downstairs of the house felt colder compared to normal.
"I carried on getting my son ready for school and I put my hand on the front door handle and realised it was ajar - I thought 'that's a bit odd'.
"I went outside and realised my husband's jacket was thrown on the front bush. I came back in a realised my handbag was not there and then I realised that the draws on the coffee table were open.
"That's when I thought, something is not right."
Items stolen included an iPhone, a laptop, two cheque books, debit cards, a passport, an iPod, a handbag and a number of prescriptions.
She said: "I thought that my worst nightmare had come true.
"I felt sick but it could have been worse.
"My first reaction was how could someone come into a house that clearly has children in it and take stuff while they are asleep upstairs.
"It made me mad having to watch children's face when they realised their stuff was gone.
"My daughter became very upset and frightened. She grabbed my hand and asked whether they would come back."
Mrs Palfrey is now urging anyone who saw anything to contact the police as well as urging people to make sure their houses are secure at night, even by covering up letterboxes.
She added: "I want people to be aware that it could happen to anybody.
"If somebody saw something I want them to report it because it could be worse next time."
Pc Michael Watts from Newbury police station said: “A week prior to the attack people were seen in the area trying front door handles and cleaning gutters.
“We would like to hear from anyone who noticed the offenders or anyone else acting suspiciously in the area.”
Anyone with information should contact the police on the non-emergency number on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at