Police are appealing for information after sentimental jewellery was stolen from a vulnerable woman at her home in Chichester.
It happened between 12pm and 1pm on Friday 8th July in Green Lane.
The victim, an 83-year-old woman, was approached the day before by a man offering to renovate her front patio but she closed the door on him.
The man returned the following day claiming to be from the gas board, but the woman didn't recognise him and allowed the man to enter her home.
After entering her home he ransacked the property unchallenged for around 10 minutes.
When the man told the victim that he was leaving after the work had been complete she then recognised him as the man that had come to the house the day before.
He is described as being in his 30s-40s, around 5’5” tall, tanned skin, clean shaven with a protruding stomach and was wearing a dark coloured baseball hat, darker blue shirt and brown/beige coloured shorts.
Some of the items stolen were a gold engagement ring with a central sapphire and surrounded by diamonds, a gold eternity ring with small diamond studs, a crystal necklace and a silver Sekonda watch which was her late husband’s.
Police Constable Douglas Young said: “This is a despicable crime and we will do everything possible to catch those responsible. The jewellery taken in this incident is of great sentimental value due to links with the victim’s late husband and irreplaceable. I would urge anybody with information about this incident to get in touch with us.”
Anyone with information which could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it online or call 101 quoting serial number 636 of 08/07.
Alternatively you can report it to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111.
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