A WINKLEBURY resident has spoken out to warn others after burglars rummaged through her home - pulling clothes from wardrobes, Christmas decorations out of boxes and even paperwork following her husband’s death.

The resident, who did not wish to be named, returned to her home in Warwick Road last Monday (January 24) to find her possessions gone through and chucked across the house.

She said: “I was at my daughter’s; I am a widow and my daughter often invites me round for dinner, I got back to my home about 9pm and as I was walking up to the house, I could see the bedroom light on. I thought ‘I’m sure I haven’t been in there today’.”

The 69-year-old said that in one of the bedrooms items from the cupboard had been scattered across the room. She continued: “Even down to leaflets that I got from the funeral directors, they were just tossed across the floor.

“In my back bedroom I’ve got a little cupboard, in that I had Christmas decorations – there is nothing in there worth stealing – and they even pulled those out.”

The widow said that nothing was stolen despite the extensive search and her laptop being visible on a table.

The resident contacted police and was told that it was likely that the offenders managed to gain entry by hooking the inside door handle through the letter box.

She said: “We have got everything back to normal and everything away again, everything they pulled out had to be washed. I couldn’t just pick my clothes up and put them away.

“I now tend to be more wary and make sure I double lock the door. The safety officers came round and gave me an alarm to hang on my door handle so that if anyone tries the door the alarm will go off.”

The woman said that her neighbour was targeted in the same night, and again nothing was stolen.

A police spokesman said: “We were called at 10.24pm on Monday 24 January to reports of a burglary at an address on Warwick Road in Basingstoke. Between 4.30pm and 9.30pm on Monday, entry was gained to a property on the street. Nothing was reported stolen.

“At 11.41pm, officers received reports of another burglary at a different address on the same street. Again, nothing was reported stolen.

“Officers have made enquiries and have spoken with both homeowners. We are now appealing for information and witnesses.

“Were you in the area at the time? Did you witness any suspicious behaviour? Do you have any CCTV images or dash-cam footage that may help our investigation?

“Anyone with information is asked to contact 101, quoting the reference number 44220032514.”

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