by Hayley Robinson

A burglary victim is warning others to be on their guard after her home was broken into during the day.

Sarah Strachan was greeted by two police officers when she arrived home after receiving a call from her neighbour saying her kitchen window had been smashed.

Once inside, she discovered her two cavalier King Charles dogs, Daisy and Jazz, had been shut away in the lounge by the thief.

Cupboards and draws were turned out and crockery smashed as the burglar desperately searched for valuable items to steal.

The married mum-of-one’s wedding and £1,000 engagement ring were taken along with two iPhone 4 mobiles and their boxes, a Samsung camcorder, containing images and video footage of her five year-old son Ewan, an Amazon Kindle, an iPad, a rucksack and 30 euros.

A large rock had been used to break the glass and gain entry to the detached three-bedroom house in North Street, Milton Regis.

It happened some time between 8.15am and 12.43pm on Tuesday while the 30-year-old and her husband Kevin, 40, were at work.

The teaching assistant, who works at a town primary school, said: “When I went into the house I was a bit nervous.

"I was told not to touch anything until forensics had been. Only then was I allowed to look and see what was missing.

“Our neighbour looked after Ewan so he didn’t have to see the mess and we told him a pigeon had flown into the window.

“I was shocked at the time of the burglary. I thought they usually happened at night. I think they would have taken more and caused more damage if it wasn’t for my neighbour raising the alarm.

“I just want to warn others to keep an eye out and report anything that may look suspicious.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number XY/011386/13.