Bristol family 'disgusted' after finding hole carved in door and £7,000 of valuables gone

The incident has been reported to Avon and Somerset Police Credit: BPM Media

A Bristol family said they were left "petrified'" after discovering their home had been burgled of more than £7,000 worth of possessions while out on a school run.

Aaron Barnes, who lives with his family in Downend, said while his partner was out on a school run on Thursday morning (12 May) a silver van pulled up outside their home.

The father-of-one said neighbours heard power tools but assumed it was work being carried out on a nearby home. But when his partner returned home 20 minutes later, he said she was shocked to find a large hole carved out of their front door.

"They took stuff that I am never going to get back," he said. "My son’s first tooth, his hospital wrist band from when he was born and some personalised jewellery I had made from his footprint. It's just disgusting what they’ve done.

Having lived in the area for four years the family said they had always felt safe - but since the ordeal Mr Barnes's partner is afraid to leave the home.

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“She is petrified. She doesn’t want to do a school run and she wants family members around her all the time," she said.

The 37-year-old said he believed the culprits knew the family as only one room was ransacked and around £7,000 worth of belongings were stolen including jewellery, cash and the sentimental items kept inside a box.

“They knew where they were going and I’m worried about my family," he added.

A spokesperson from Avon and Somerset Police said: "We were called to a property in Northcote Road, Downend, South Gloucestershire, at 9am today (Thursday, May 12) by a woman who had arrived home to find her house had been broken into.

"Officers secured and searched the property. Upon further investigation, it was discovered the offender had taken various pieces of jewellery and a large quantity of cash.

"If you saw anything out of the ordinary, or if you have any CCTV or doorbell footage which may assist the investigation, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222110000."