Hampshire Constabulary

Burglary victim Margaret Gordon has spoken out about her experience at the hands of callous thieves; a month after her home was targeted for the third time.  

 The incident happened between 7am on September 27 and 9.30am on September 28. Offender[s] forced open a door at the back of the property and stole an antique table, clock, compass, watch and Margaret’s beloved childhood teddy [below right], passed down from her mother Joan Bass [as a child, below left], who died in 1964.

It’s the third time the property has been targeted by burglars with the first in April 2005 and another in February this year.  

A 47-year-old Portsmouth man was convicted in connection with the first burglary, in which treasured items of jewellery belonging to Margaret’s mother were stolen. He was sentenced to four years in prison in 2005. No offenders have been identified in connection with the incident earlier this year.  

Margaret Gordon has been left devastated by last month’s burglary and says she no longer feels comfortable in her own home.  

“Now I feel I have nothing left of my mum,” she said. “They took all her jewellery in the first burglary and I thought, ‘at least I still have her teddy’. Now I don’t even have that.  

“Some people may laugh and think it’s only a teddy but he’s almost 100 years old and very special to me because he was my teddy when I was a child and my mum’s before that. He isn’t worth a penny but is of huge sentimental value.  

“I can’t describe how that makes me feel. I feel uneasy in my own home and feel that I am being watched.  

“I walk back in after being out and check that everything was where I left it. It’s a horrible feeling that I’m not sure will ever go away now.”  

Margaret is supporting Hampshire Constabulary’s anti-burglary campaign, Operation Nemesis, in a bid to spare others to heartache she has experienced.  

Op Nemesis was launched on October 1 with the aim of targeting offenders linked to serious acquisitive crime, specifically burglary.  

The crack-down will see photos of those wanted for burglary published on the force’s website and social networking sites, covert and overt operations increased to hit prolific offending and officers spreading burglary prevention advice in Hampshire’s cities, towns and villages.

Margaret said: “We did everything right in protecting our home. We always shut all of the windows before we go out. We ensure the house is secure and on the previous two occasions we have been burgled we have taken new advice on how to secure our home.  

“My advice would be to check and double check everything before you go out and to be vigilant. Don’t give burglars a reason to pick your home.”  

PC Alex Spratt of Eastleigh Priority Crime Team, said: “Margaret has been left very shaken by this whole ordeal and feels insecure in the one place she is supposed to feel the most safe.  

“Burglary is a despicable crime that affects the lives of its victims long after the act.  

“I am keen not only to identify the culprit or culprits but to reunite Margi with the items so precious to her.  

“I urge anyone with any information on this burglary, or the whereabouts of the stolen items, to make contact immediately.”   Margaret is offering a reward for the return of the bear.

For more information on Operation Nemesis, including burglary prevention advice, visit www.hampshire.police.uk and click on News and Campaigns – Safer Homes.