A young Darlington family have spoken out about the ‘vulnerability’ that they feel after being left homeless days after Christmas when callous thieves broke into their home, ransacked it, and then flooded the property.
The family, who were away visiting relatives over Christmas at the time of the incident on Blackmoor Close in the town, have opened up about their ‘terrifying’ ordeal that saw the burglars target their beloved home.
When they returned from their three-and-a-half-hour trip in Cambridgeshire, the family, who have two children, were greeted with a ‘heavy’ door, soaked carpets, a collapsed ceiling, and a caved in roof.
Read more: Darlington family left homeless after thieves target property
During the serious incident, which is believed to have happened at some point on Christmas Eve, the thieves cruelly destroyed the entire house, including blocking the sinks and leaving the taps to run; causing the house to flood and the ceilings to collapse.
Several personal items were also stolen, including a TV, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Now, almost a week on from the horrific incident, the family have opened up to The Northern Echo.
The dad of the family, Jake, has documented the ‘sinking’ feeling of realising his family had been burgled, despite first thinking that the washing machine had broken because of all the water.
He told The Northern Echo: “Having to tell my family what had happened was the worst part – we thought we had a safe place that was secure for all of my family, but being burgled makes you feel invaded, knowing that someone has looked through all of your stuff.
“I feel guilty – my family look to me to provide them with a nice place to live that they can return to when we’re at work, school, nursery.”
After returning to the ‘chaos’ of their burgled home, Jake, and his partner Rebecca, along with Jake’s two kids Heidi and Holly, are in a hotel and are trying to rebuild their lives into 2023.
Jake added: “It’s turned our lives upside down – but I don’t feel angry, I feel sad about the whole thing.
“To have someone burgle you – needing something that much that they’d take things from a two-year-old girl, I feel sorry for whoever was in need like that.
“I want to thank those that have helped with their offer of help and kind words so far, it’s much appreciated.”
Since the burglary, PC Stefan Haynes, from Darlington Volume Crime Team, has appealed for information in finding those responsible for the damage.
He said: “This is an utterly appalling incident which has destroyed a young family’s home, leaving them with nowhere to live. Whoever is responsible should be ashamed of themselves.
“I would like to make an appeal to anyone who has been in the area over recent days to think back - have you seen anyone acting suspiciously? Did you hear or see anything unusual?
“If you have any information, no matter how small or insignificant you think it may be, please come forward and speak to us – sometimes, even the smallest detail can progress our investigation and help us bring those responsible to justice.”
Anyone with any information that could help the investigation is asked to contact PC Haynes at Stefan.Haynes@durham.police.uk
Alternatively, information can be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Read next:
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- Durham Police deal with eight sudden deaths on Christmas Day
- Woman arrested in West Cowick on suspicion of murder as man dies
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