Darwen burglary victim offers reward (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Darwen burglary victim offers reward

7:00pm Sunday 12th February 2012 in News

A BURGLARY victim is offering a £500 reward for the safe return of her treasured jewellery after it was stolen in a raid on her Darwen home.

Theresa Shepherd, 57, returned to her house in Cumberland Close to find 30 items of quality jewellery had been taken, as well as 15 items of high street ‘bling’.

Many of the quality items, including pearls and sapphires in rings, bracelets and necklaces, had been custom made and given to her 30 years ago by her ex-husband. Thieves also took a a glass and bead tiara that she wore on her wedding day.

Ms Shepherd said: “I feel like a part of my life has been taken away and the connection I had with the past has been severed.

“I’m very much a jewellery person and have felt a bit tearful that I’ve put on an outfit that I can’t now add the matching jewellery to.

“I don’t care about how much the jewellery is worth, it’s about what it means to me. I feel a great sense of loss.”

Police say the thief or thieves approached the back of the house and gained access to the back garden by climbing over an 8ft wall.

They forced their way through the patio doors and searched almost every room - opening wardrobes, desk drawers and cabinets. The burglary happened at around 6.30pm on Tuesday.

Ms Shepherd said: “I don’t feel violated that my home has been gone through, I just feel angry.

“A lot of the customised jewellery is very distinctive, such as an azure blue twisted pearl necklace, and I think it’ll end up being dumped.

“I can’t afford the £500 - I’ve had to borrow that from family - but it’s an incentive for someone to return the items to me.”

PC Neil Lowe said: “This is a serious offence which has left the victim devastated as the jewellery has enormous sentimental value.”

“I would also appeal to people to be vigilant in case the jewellery has been discarded and I would also urge anybody that believes they have been offered any items of stolen jewellery for sale to contact police.”

Call Lancashire Police on 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org.