A BURGLARY victim has spoken of the devastation she felt after thieves plundered her home.
Raiders stole jewellery collected over a lifetime when they broke into Brenda and Robin Millar's home. A neighbour's house was targeted the same night.
Despite a spate of raids in the neighbourhood, Mrs Millar said she feels safe, thanks to the response of the police.
Mr and Mrs Millar were away for the weekend when their home in Upper Pines, Woodmansterne, was ransacked. A neighbour noticed the lights on and the door open and alerted their daughter, who broke the news.
"I was in a state of shock," said Mrs Millar, 68. "I have lived in that house 31 years and before that I lived two streets away for 10 or 15 years and I have never known anyone to be burgled.
"This used to be a safe area but now it is being targeted, so that is why the police are bombarding this area now.
"My friend across the road was burgled on the same day. I believe there have been about five in our road recently. They are hitting Woodmansterne, Banstead and Chipstead."
The burglars targeted valuable jewellery when they broke in by smashing a window overnight between October 26 and 27. Their stolen haul included a gold watch given to Mrs Millar for her long-service award at work, and rings which belonged to her late mother.
"They knew what they were looking for," said the retired accountant.
"But it's not the value, its the memories. Everything is gone. I am devastated; I feel as though I have been invaded, it is very distressing."
She said she has been reassured by police, who have made frequent visits to her home since the raid, have given crime prevention advice, and told her unmarked cars are patrolling the area.
"I am quite gobsmacked by the time and the help we have been given," she said. "I don't feel unsafe in the house, but I am manic about locking up now."
Neighbourhood inspector Richard Haycock was unable to provide figures on the number of burglaries in the area, but said the crime was an issue in the north of the borough specifically.
He said: "It's very close to the border with the Metropolitan area, so it is easy to travel into; easy road and rail links make it attractive to burglars."
He warned residents to be extra vigilant in the run-up to Christmas, when burglaries generally rise.
