A DEVASTATED daughter says she no longer feels safe at home alone after burglars rifled through her bedroom drawer and stole family treasures including her late mother's ring.

Janine Taylor, who lives in a block of flats off Bath Road, Worcester, was out shopping on Thursday, January 26, when her home was burgled between 12.30 and 2.30pm.

On her return, she found video games were missing and, hearing neighbours had had their parcels stolen, called the police.

But, it wasn't until a week later that the 28-year-old discovered irreplaceable jewellery kept in a closed bedroom drawer had also been taken in the raid.

Among the stolen items was a gold engagement ring worn by Miss Taylor's mother, Elaine, who died in 2007 after suffering with secondary breast cancer.

"That ring - I just desperately want to get back," said the Aston University student, who lives with her partner.

"It is really really precious. It is one of the very few things I have of hers that I could keep and that maybe I could pass on to my children."

The ring previously belonged to Miss Taylor's great grandmother and featured a sapphire in its centre, surrounded by a cluster of diamonds.

The other stolen items included a pearl necklace and gold ring, embellished with cubic zirconia and red stones, also belonging to her mother; a purple freshwater pearl necklace and bracelet given to her for her 21st birthday; a one-of-a-kind silver cuff bracelet, and a gold bangle, belonging to her grandmother.

Since the burglary, Miss Taylor has been scouring pawn and antique shops around the city in a desperate bid to track down the treasured items.

But the burglary has left her shaken and she says she "triple locks" the door and is considering installing CCTV.

"It has put us on edge," said Miss Taylor. "I do not particularly feel safe in my home when I'm alone.

"It was in my bedroom – and that is the furthest point in the house – so we know that they have looked through everything - it is just horrible.

"They closed the drawers after they had looked in. That is why it took a week."

Police say there have been "numerous" burglaries in the Battenhall and Nunnery areas of the city during the past two months.

We reported last week how there have been three burglaries and two attempted burglaries in Bath Road during February.

Officers are calling for residents to be vigilant and help catch the culprits.

Anyone with information about the theft from Miss Taylor's flat, can call police on 101, quoting incident number 710-5-260117.

POLICE APPEAL: 'Be nosy to beat burglars'

POLICE are urging "nosy neighbours" to help officers crack down on a spate of burglaries in the city.

A recent rise in the number of burglaries in the Bath Road and Battenhall areas of Worcester have prompted police to step up patrols to deter and catch offenders. 

But Superintendent for South Worcestershire Kevin Purcell is asking residents to keep and eye out for – and report – any suspicious activity to West Mercia Police. 

He also urged residents to ensure they secure their properties properly.

"We just say to people: 'be nosy'," said Supt Purcell. "If you're looking out the window, if you see vehicles you are unsure of, or people in next door's property, or even people knocking on your door - tell us and we will get there and we will have a look at it."

However, he stressed that police were actively working to crack down on burglaries in the area, by increasing patrols - including officers in unmarked cars. 

"It is the police's responsibility to catch people and prevent burglaries but we do need the public to help us," he said.

"Burglaries are a thing we know causes real upset to people."

Police are also keeping track of people who may travel into the city to commit crime, and liaising with neighbouring forces to detect patterns in offending. 

"We know that we are dealing with potentially more than one person," added Supt Purcell.

"We have dealt with a number of people who have been seen and we have been able to rule them out of our enquiries."

Anyone who sees any suspicious activity can call West Mercia Police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.