RESIDENTS at a house in Burderop have been left devastated after burglars broke in and stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and watches.

Dave Dawnworth, who left his home near Wroughton for work at 6am on Wednesday morning, returned to find that his house had been broken into and some of his most valuable items stolen.

The 53-year-old said: “We’re still a bit shocked about it really. I’ve never been burgled before in my life and it’s quite unsettling, knowing someone has been in your house and gone through your things.

“I’m worried they might come back and take some of my other stuff, so we’re having a lot of alarms installed.

“We know jewellery was taken and some designer watches, but we’re still trying to find out what else is missing.”

Dave first realised something was wrong when he went through to the kitchen after getting through from work and finding the window open.

He said: “I saw the window was unlatched and I wondered why it was open. When I tried to close it it wouldn’t shut, and it was then I realised it had been broken into.

“I went into the bedroom and there were clothes and things everywhere, all over the place. It was a real mess. I knew that it wouldn’t have been left like that, and that’s when I called the police.

“Later I went to the shop and I saw a notice saying that a spate of burglaries had been happening in the area, and I just wanted to warn everyone to be extra careful.”

Police are not linking the burglary to any other crimes that have happened in the area, although a burglary did take place at a property in a nearby street some weeks ago.

A spokesman from Wiltshire Police said: “The incident happened between 8am and 8pm on August 27 when unknown suspects gained access to the back of a house after forcing entry through a window.

“They then did an untidy search of the bedroom where they took watches worth thousands.

“They then left the property through the front door.”

After the incident was reported police carried out house-to-house enquires in the area.

They are also appealing to any witnesses who were in the area at the time who may have seen the incident or seen anything suspicious.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.