THIEVES have stolen Christmas from a family by raiding their home and taking their children's presents.
Gifts were taken from under the bed from the home in Abbeydale. They not only took toys for the two children but also a wedding ring. It comes as so far there have already been 34 burglaries in Gloucester alone in the festive build-up.
In one of the latest raids, thieves smashed through the door of the house in The Richmonds. The homeowner, who asked not to be named, said: "I just don't understand it, what is their motive?
"I had been at work, came home and immediately it was obvious what had happened. They had broken in through the back door, gone through my bedroom and found the presents under the bed."
The theft happened between 12.30pm on Monday and 5.30pm on Tuesday.
"I'm not going to let it spoil Christmas," the dad added. "The children understand what's happened and they are excited about the police trying to catch someone."
Elsewhere, arrests for burglary have seen the recovery of large amounts of electrical goods.
So officers have been out this month visiting homes in areas such as Barton and Tredworth giving people UV pens to mark up their items.
Sergeant Tim Wood, from Barton Street police station, said before and after Christmas is seen by burglars as the ideal time for crime.
"We know for the three months leading up to and after the festive, period dwelling burglaries increase in certain areas," he said.
He added: "Our officers have knocked on 1,000 doors in those areas to speak with as many people as possible."
Sgt Wood added: "People should be making sure they are locking everything up if they are leaving home."
