Man, 88, returns from holiday to discover late wife's jewellery stolen

Upto £1,000 was also stolen during the burglary between March 22-26 in Hepworth Lane, Mirfield.

The victim, 88, lived alone after the death of his wife 12 years ago.

Before his wife passed away, she wrote her husband a letter and left it inside her purse with an old £20 note.

The victim never exchanged this bank note to a new one and kept it as a memory – now it has gone.

PC Sarah Culley, of Kirklees CID, said: “This burglary has caused the victim a huge amount of distress as not only has he had home has been invaded by the suspects, but the items taken were of significant value both sentimentally and monetary.”

After coming back from holiday, the victim realised that the culprits had broke in through the back window and raided the house.

They stole between £800 and £1,000 in cash as well as two fine gold chains, a gold chain with a St Christopher attached and three ladies watches – one with a material strap, another with a gold plated strap and another made of stainless steel.

PC Culley said: “We would like to hear from anyone who has been approached by anyone trying to sell the jewellery or seen it in a shop, or if someone has tried to sell or exchange an old £20 note.

“Anyone who has any information or saw anything suspicious in the area between these dates is urged to contact myself via 101 quoting reference 13160130950 to help us reunite these sentimental items with the gentleman.”