Family Horrified After Burglar Cuts Massive Hole In Front Door While They're Out

A family in Bristol were left shocked and petrified after a burglar cut a huge hole in their front door and stole priceless belongings.

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

The dad-of-one said neighbours heard power tools, but assumed it was work being carried out on a nearby home - not a burglar brazenly destroying their front door.

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But when his partner returned home 20 minutes later, she was stunned to find a large hole carved out of their front door.

According to BristolLive, Aaron said more than £7,000 worth of belongings had been taken in the smash and grab - as well as items of huge sentimental value.

The 37-year-old said: "They took stuff that I am never going to get back.

"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."

Aaron said the family has lived happily in the area for four years, but his partner has now been left petrified by the invasion.

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

"They knew where they were going and I'm worried about my family."

In a Facebook post, he offered a cash reward for any info about the crime.

He wrote: "I am willing to pay £500 to anyone who has the right information that can help myself and the police."

The police have also appealed for information.

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."

Topics: UK News, Crime

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey