Police appeal

 

Police in St.Helens are appealing for information after a Rainhill resident's collection of watches and jewellery were stolen during a burglary.

 

Thieves broke in through a kitchen window of the house in Jackson Close on Friday 27th February shortly before Saints kicked off against Castleford Tigers.

 

Police patrols were alerted by a neighbour reporting that the burglar alarm was going off and that the homeowner was away on holiday.

 

It is believed that the offenders tried to tamper with the alarm after breaking in, then searched the house before finding the valuables in an upstairs bedroom.

 

Among the 50 items stolen were a green onyx ring belonging to the 52-year-old victim's father, two silver children's christening bangles and two children's gold cygnet rings.

 

Detectives are appealing for anyone who witnessed the burglary, saw anything suspicious in the area that night, or has been offered jewellery and watches for sale in suspicious circumstances to contact them.

 

Detective Constable Jeff Huxley from St.Helens CID, said: "This is a large and diverse collection of jewellery that the victim had been gathering for a while. Some are rings and necklaces of great sentimental value and other pieces are fashionable watches but each one is recognisable by the owner and we are keen to get them back for him.

 

"The burglary happened shortly after 7pm on the night Saints played Castleford Tigers so I would urge local people to cast their minds back to that evening in case they remembering seeing or hearing anything suspicious. It is possible there were two offenders and they may have appeared out of place in Jackson Close, which is a cul-de-sac.

 

"I also want to appeal to anyone who has been offered watches or jewellery for sale in suspicious circumstances, perhaps at an unusual location or at a knock down price, to contact me in case these are the missing valuables.

 

"This man has lost a collection of things that are very dear to him and I would encourage anyone who can help the police investigation to call St.Helens CID on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.