A MAN had almost £1,000 in cash, which he had saved for Christmas presents for his family, stolen from his sheltered accommodation.

The 63-year-old had been away for the weekend and returned to find his flat in Paynes Road, Southampton, had been broken into.

Around £960 had been taken from inside as well as cigarettes and an expensive leather jacket.

Police say the burglary at the warden assisted block was reported on December 5 and they are currently investigating several lines of enquiry.

Pc Andrew Pollock, from Shirley CID, said: “This is a vulnerable person living in sheltered accommodation and to lose that kind of money in the run up to Christmas is particularly harsh. I would urge anyone with information about who was responsible, or who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the area to make contact with us.”

Witnesses should contact Shirley police on 101.