PICTURES have been released of five medals which were stolen from a house in Worcester before Christmas.

An Africa Star campaign medals, a 1939-1945 Star, a War Medal and a Defence Medal along with a General Service Medal with Palestine Bar for services in Palestine between April 19 1936 and September 3 1939 were stolen from a house in Sherwood Lane, St John’s, while the residents were away.

The residents returned home from a weekend away on Monday, December 23 to find their home had been broken into through a rear window. Neighbours said they saw lights in the house during the evening on Friday, December 20, and police said it is likely this is when the burglary took place.

Also stolen were an 18 carat gold wedding ring, an 18 carat engagement ring with three diamonds, a white gold engagement ring with a single diamond, a man’s gold engagement ring with a band the shape of a buckle, a collection of antique jewellery and about $500 in cash.

West Mercia Police detective constable Thomas Birchley asked anyone with information to call police on 101 quoting incident number 0210s 231213.

“The homeowners have lost a lot of items of very high sentimental value and I cannot image a worse way to start their Christmas holidays,” he said.

“We are releasing images of the medals in the hope that someone has seen these distinctive items for sale in dubious circumstances or have been offered them for sale. If so, please let us know.”

Information can also be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.