Heartbroken mother has sentimental jewellery stolen by burglars

Suzie Hawkins has lost a gold ring and gold rope bracelet made after her partner of seven years died 20 years ago after her New Forest home was raided by thieves.

The nurse had been out with friends when thieves broke into her Milford on Sea home and took the jewellery days after what would have been her late partner's 53rd birthday.

It had been created when she got a jeweller to combine an engagement ring with an eternity ring which was also given to her by her late partner.

Suzie, 49, described the ring, which was decorated with eight diamonds and a bow, as “a one off”.

She said: “There's never going to be another one like it. It's really upsetting. I can cope with most things going but that ring is really quite special.”

A Rolex ladies watch, a Microsoft Surface tablet computer and a Panasonic monitor were also taken in the theft which occurred between 8pm on Saturday October 18 and 7.45am on Sunday October 19.

It is believed the burglars used garden tools to break in through a downstairs back window before they searched throughout the home.

Another property in nearby Park Lane was also raided at the same time in a similar way and officers believe these two incidents to be linked.

Jewellery was also taken from the Park Lane home but further details have not been provided.

Suzie said she believed the ring had a monetary value of £3,000 but said the sentimental value was much more.

“I can't replace the ring and those diamonds, it's just a special ring to me,” she said.

Sergeant Simon Price of the burglary team at Lyndhurst police station warned homeowners to lock away tools which can be used by burglars to enter people's home.

He said: “We would encourage people to pack away and secure their garden tools and see them as there potentially to be used by a burglar to gain entry to a home.

“Don't assist the burglar by leaving garden tools out for them to utilise.”