A FAMILY has made an emotional appeal for information after valuable and highly sentimental items, including family silver and jewellery dating back more than 100 years, were stolen during a burglary at a Newton Abbot home.

The burglary took place at a property on Chestnut Drive at around 2.30pm on Friday, September 4.

Devon & Cornwall Police said officers were called to the address at around 4.30pm following a report of a burglary.

Several items, including jewellery and silverware, were stolen.

The family said the loss has been particularly distressing because many of the possessions cannot be replaced.

Some of the stolen items are described as distinctive and may be recognisable if they are offered for sale or taken to an antique dealer, jeweller, auction house or pawnbroker.

The family is appealing particularly to anyone living in or around Chestnut Avenue, or who was in the area at the time of the burglary, to check doorbell cameras, CCTV, dashcam footage or other recordings.

They are keen to hear from anyone who may have captured suspicious people or vehicles in the area before or after the incident.

The family has also contacted local antique dealers, jewellers, auction houses, pawnbrokers and businesses dealing in second-hand silver, asking them to remain vigilant for the stolen property.

Police are asking anyone with relevant information to contact them via the Devon & Cornwall Police website or by calling 101, quoting reference 50260237281.

The family said even a small piece of information could make a significant difference, both in helping police identify those responsible and potentially recovering possessions that have been part of the family’s history for generations.