BURGLARS stole jewellery in raids on two Thornbury homes on the same night – prompting a police warning to residents.

The first incident, in Gloucester Road, happened between 9.40am and 10.10am on Monday, while the family was out.

When they came home they found the glass smashed on the back door and that jewellery had been stolen.

This was particularly upsetting for the family because the jewellery had significant sentimental value.

A sapphire and diamond engagement ring, antique opal and diamond ring, and a Tiffany gold and diamond cross on a gold chain, were among the pieces taken by the heartless burglars.

Later that day, between 5pm and 8.30pm, a house off Alexandra Way was also raided, with the thieves again forcing entry through the back door of the property.

The burglars made off with an enamelled rosewood jewellery box shaped like a sarcophagus. It is not yet clear precisely which items of jewellery are missing.

A woman who lives there told the Gazette: “They must have been there a while, whether they watched us leave or not I don’t know, but it is clear they spent a lot of time looking around our home, because everything was locked away.

“When people come in and take your possessions it is bad enough, but to pull a pillowcase off your bed and fill it up feels just so invasive.”

She added: “Waking up the following morning, it felt like a bad dream, but seeing everything was still gone was just heartbreaking.”

Crime scene investigators have examined both properties in the hope of discovering forensic evidence, a spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said.

These incidents followed an attempted burglary in Thornbury on Sunday afternoon.

Thieves forced their way into a garage at a home in Springfield and used a tool inside to try break through the back door of the house.

Fortunately, they were unable to gain entry and it is believed that nothing was taken from the garage.

Advising residents that thieves were targeting gold and jewellery, PC Natalie Jones asked for people to be vigilant and contact the police immediately should they see anything suspicious.

PC Sean White added: “We’ve carried out house-to-house inquiries in the area but I’d ask anyone who has any information which could help us to get in touch.

“We’d recommend making sure tools are securely locked away in a sturdy shed or garage.”

Officers also recommended that because jewellery often has a sentimental value above its material worth, such items are kept in a safe.

Further advice issued by police includes keeping photographic records and descriptions of precious items, hiding portable valuables out of sight and joining the Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Anyone with information that could assist police inquiries into the three burglaries should call 101, quoting reference 5216231060, 5216231637 or 5216230733 respectively, or by using the online form at avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact.