A FAMILY was left distraught after callous thieves took off with around £3,500 of their valuables.

After ransacking the bedrooms in Wayne Pretlove’s home on Timberlog Lane, Basildon, thieves got away with two 18 carat engraved bangles, a Breitling watch, Apple air pods, tiaras, an Apple Watch, BB guns, a wedding ring, and their blue 2012 Vauxhall Insignia.

The break-in has seriously shaken up the family, leaving his children so scared they no longer want to sleep at his house.

The 39-year-old said: “I was in work when my mum phoned me, knowing that I had biked there that day, to tell me the car had gone.

“She found the back window had been completely smashed in, it looked like they used the pillows we keep in the garden playhouse to muffle the sound of the glass breaking.

“They climbed through and went straight to our bedrooms, filling our pillowcases with stuff, including the engraved girls’ bangles from India, which are a couple of hundred pounds each.

“We were completely horrified, I didn’t want to come home, worrying what I would return to.

“The girls are distraught, and now they don’t even want to stay here. I only see them once a week as it is, with the exception of one week during the month, so to have them worried that the burglars might come back while they’re here is just horrible.

“I barely slept that night.”

The family are asking anyone with information to contact the police.

Wayne continued: “My neighbour said that they heard noises on Wednesday night but the car was still there on Thursday morning. By 11am it was gone, so I think they must’ve came back for it.

“I want the girls to feel safe – they’re only six and ten years old, it’s so heartless anyone could take their things.

“If anyone has any information please come forward – the car’s number plate is FN62 VAV.”

A spokesperson from Essex Police, said: “We can confirm we’re investigating that burglary. No arrests have been made yet. Anyone with information is urged to call 101 and quote reference number 42/4979/20.”