THIEVES smashed into a car stealing a woman's handbag which contained images of her children who died in a fire.

A man and woman found their Black Mitsubishi had been broken into near to Great Copse, Mottisfont.

After returning to where they had parked yesterday morning they found the car with a smashed window.

The woman's handbag and purse contained photos of her four children, who had died in a fire had been stolen causing her great distress.

Police have now launched an appeal to find her missing belongings.

A police spokesperson said: " If you were the offender, please find it within yourself to return the photos.

"If you know, or suspect you know who committed the crime, please point this post out to them.

"Whoever has the photos can return them anonymously to any police station and marking them for the attention of PC 28070 Auton at Romsey."