The wife of a US police officer went to desperate lengths to resolve her family's financial woes by staging a robbery at her house then blaming Black Lives Matter supporters for the incident.

Maria Daly reported the burglary at her home in Massachusetts to police saying that $10,000 worth of jewellery had been stolen – she later went on social media to announce the theft.

The tag, BLM, referencing the Black Lives Movement was spray painted on the side of her house.

But investigating officer Millbury Police Chief Donald Desorcy did not believe her story, saying what she said "didn't feel right". Speaking to CBS Boston, he said: "I think that was pretty obvious.

"We came to the conclusion that it was all fabricated. There was no intruder, there was no burglary."

Ms Daly has since admitted the story was a hoax and her valuables have been recovered and now faces charges of filing a false police report and misleading a police investigation.

"She must have tagged the place herself," one neighbour added. "I don't know why you'd do that, if you're gonna stage a robbery, I mean really come on, you're a cop's wife. You should know better."

Her husband Daniel, was not involved in the sting and has been cleared of any wrongdoing.