THIEVES ransacked the bedroom of an 88- year-old woman, stealing a war medal and sentimental jewellery which was worth thousands.
The lady, who lives alone in Tuffley, said she was left terrified and has since installed bolts on her internal doors. She does not want to be identified.
"I told the police, if they see someone walking around with no hands, they'll know I've caught them," she said.
Her home was broken into while she was staying at her daughter's at some point between noon on May 13 and 4.30pm the next day.
The thieves smashed their way into the house through a conservatory door and turned the woman's bedroom upside down.
They broke into a safe containing precious gold jewellery, including the lady's engagement ring from her late husband, and a medal won by his father in the Boer War in South Africa between 1899 and 1902.
Bizarrely, they also stole her Dyson vacuum cleaner.
"They had gone through every drawer in my bedroom, it was such a mess," she said.
"They found the safe in my wardrobe and broke into that, it had all my gold jewellery in it. One of the rings alone was valued at £1,500 in 2005.
"I've got a gold bracelet with my name engraved on it which is probably my most treasured piece of jewellery, they didn't get that but only because I was wearing it as I can't get the clasp off.
"It isn't fair. I had made sure my house was secure but they still managed to get in.
"I've been very scared, I've put bolts on my doors inside now and I lock them when I sleep."
The burglars also got away with a TV and DVD player, as well as a digital picture frame.
The bedroom, however, was the only room they rummaged through.
Police refused to say yesterday whether anyone has yet been arrested in connection with the incident.
They are appealing for information about the break-in and want witnesses, or anyone with information, to call 101 quoting incident 284 of May 14.