A HOST of valuable family heirlooms were stolen as a house was ransacked in broad daylight.

Thieves broke into the property, in Grapnells, Pitsea, through a kitchen window before raiding the family home on Monday.

The home was completely ransacked as thieves emptied drawers and cupboards around the house, including the freezer, and drinking half a bottle of Jack Daniels.

All of the items had huge sentimental value to the victim, Sharon Alger, including a gold vintage engagement ring which belonged to her mum, and a gold charm bracelet including a picture of her parents in a heart charm, which was passed on when her mum passed away.

Two of the items were presents from Sharon’s daughter, a gold ring with the initials JJ inside, and a gold pendent with Jess written in bold on.

Sharon’s daughter, Catherine Alger, said: “Its all very sentimental, so it means more emotionally than in terms of money.

“It is all quite distinctive, or has initials on it, so it would be hard to sell anyway.

“My parents are sometimes out between 8am and 4pm, and my mum couldn’t believe the state of the house when she came home.

“The whole place had been trashed, cupboards were all open, the freezer had been pulled out and emptied, they had been through every part of the house.

“Its a real invasion of privacy, and now mum and dad are left to deal with it.

“My mum said she would have preferred them to steal the car keys and the car instead, at least then it would be done and they can move on.

“This happened in broad daylight in quite a built-up area, so someone must have spotted something suspicious during the day.”

A Louis Vuitton handbag was also stolen, as well as green Harrods carrier bag, and a broken Playstation 3.

Thieves entered the home after breaking through the kitchen window, before leaving on foot through the back door.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police received a report of burglary in Grapnells, Pitsea, at around 3.40pm on Monday, October 16. A woman, aged in her forties, reported that suspects had carried out a messy search of the property between 6.40am and 3.40pm.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Basildon CID on 101 quoting incident 648 of 16/10 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”