POLICE have released CCTV images after burglaries at the homes of elderly people in Berkeley and Whitminster.

Three men and a silver BMW convertible are sought by officers after being captured on CCTV leaving the home of an elderly couple in Whitminster last Wednesday.

The same group are believed to have burgled the home of a 79-year-old woman in Berkeley on the same day.

In both cases the victims lost jewellery steeped in sentimental value and both homes were left in a state of disarray following frantic searches by the thieves.

The couple, who are aged 80 and 81 and did not wish to be named, left their Whitminster home between 11am and 2pm last Wednesday to do some shopping.

When they returned they found that thieves had smashed through their double glazed French windows to gain access to the property before looting the home for goods.

Many of the biggest losses are in the form of diamond, gold and ruby jewellery – purchased every anniversary by the husband for his wife. The woman’s wedding ring and £300 in cash were also taken.

All of the items were inside a safe which was ripped out of the wall and carried away.

Their daughter told the Gazette: “They’re just traumatised and heartbroken. They had stuff that’s been in the family for generations.

“I just can’t really believe it. They’re not in the best of health and I’m worried this is going to affect them.

“They have had just about everything they own stolen.”

A bungalow belonging to a 79-year-old woman was burgled on the same day as the Whitminster couple’s home.

The incident occurred at around 5pm, when thieves gained entry through a rear window and made an untidy search of the property.

Again, jewellery with sentimental value was stolen, gifted to the woman by her late husband – including a particularly irreplaceable charm bracelet, bearing charms from his travels around the world.

“My mum is incredibly strong and brave but this has shaken her up,” said the victim’s daughter. “She’s devastated.

“She didn’t have much money – she’s lost all she had to lose.”

CCTV footage from a home neighbouring the bungalow that was burgled in Whitminster shows three men entering and leaving the property with what is believed by police to be the wall safe.

The images show the men getting into a silver convertible BMW before leaving the scene.

Two of the men are dark-skinned and were wearing light-coloured sweat tops. One man was white and had on a dark top. On leaving the property, they wore hats.

Police believe the two burglaries may be linked and are appealing to anybody in the area that saw anything on the day, recognises the men or vehicle captured on CCTV, or anyone who has been offered any of the items mentioned to contact them on 101.

The incident number for the Whitminster crime is 317 of August 3.

For the burglary in Berkeley the number is 416 of the same date.

All of the victims have extended their sincere thanks both to the police and the community for their support after the burglaries.

The daughter of the 79-year-old Berkeley woman urged people to review their home insurance and get valuable items valued and photographed, in case they fall victim to burglars themselves.