Witness appeal after Lindfield break-in

The owners had left the house around 5.30pm to drop their children at an activity.

When they returned at 6.55pm, they realised that they had been burgled and raised the alarm.

Detective Constable John Hord said: “The family and in particular the children, have been devastated by what has happened. It will no doubt take them many months to come terms with this. West Common is a main route through this part of Lindfield and at this time of the day there would have been many people travelling down this road on their way home.

“I am particularly interested in speaking to two men who were seated on a grassy area near West Common Drive, eating burgers around the time of the burglary. Among the items stolen were the children’s Nintendo Wii, a Silver Macbook Pro and a large quantity of jewellery, much of which was of great sentimental value and irreplaceable.

“If you saw anything suspicious between 5pm and 6.55pm on Tuesday 7 May in the West Common area of Lindfield, call police on 101, quoting serial 1423 of 7/5.”