THREE families in Witley were left devastated after thieves ransacked their homes and stole jewellery and other valuables over a weekend.

Thieves broke into a house in Croft Road, smashing a rear kitchen window before making an untidy search of the house and taking a number of items of jewellery from the upstairs bedrooms.

The jewellery, which is valued at more than £2,000, includes a Georgian ring with an oval pink diamond with diamonds on a gold band, a silver/white gold chain necklace with a pale blue stone and diamonds with matching blue stone studded earrings, and two watches.

The break-in took place sometime on December 3, and thieves also targeted a second house in Croft Road between 1pm and 10.30pm on the same day, making off with a saxophone after forcing open a rear kitchen window.

Burglars also escaped with thousands of pounds worth of Tiffany jewellery, as well as other jewellery, cash, a Jasper Conran jewellery box and a Canon camera after breaking into a house in Wheeler Lane sometime between December 2 and 5.

Thieves also attempted to break into a house in Cramhurst Lane, between 1pm and 1.20pm, on November 9, managing to force the lower panel of a rear door before being disturbed by the return of the homeowner.

Waverley Sergeant Dan Smith said: “The three burglaries and attempted break-in are all being treated as linked due to the way thieves broke in, the items stolen and the specific Witley locations which have been targeted.

“Being burgled is never nice but it seems more heartless at this time of year.

“As well as being worth hundreds of pounds, the jewellery which was stolen has huge sentimental value and cannot be replaced. Always decline if you are ever offered cheap jewellery for sale – if something seems too good to be true that’s because it usually is.

“A number of enquiries are being carried out and anyone with any information about any of the break-ins is urged to come forward as soon as possible.”

• Call Surrey Police on 101 or use the online reporting system at www.report.police.uk

Alternatively call Crime- stoppers anonymously and free on 0800 555111.