A box containing the ashes of twins who died at birth has been stolen during a burglary in west London.

Police are appealing for help to catch the thieves who broke into the house in Richmond on Monday.

DC Rajinder Chana, of Kingston and Richmond CID, said: “This has been a heartbreaking ordeal for the victim, who desperately wants her children’s ashes returned. They are of no value to those who stole them, and we would ask that they be returned as soon as possible.

“Burglary is a particularly invasive crime, but this offence has been made worse by what was taken.”

Along with the maroon box containing the ashes, the thieves also took jewellery.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In a separate incident, a bag containing a baby girl’s ashes was stolen from a wooden box in a house in Belfast on Tuesday evening. Police said the burglary had happened in the Ballygomartin Road area.



Insp Paul Noble, of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said: “Understandably, this has left the victim extremely distressed; therefore, we are appealing to whoever entered the property last night to please do the right thing and return the bag to police.”



He appealed for anyone with any information to contact police.



The girl’s mother, Claire Smallwood, said on social media that her daughter’s name was Holly and the burglary had happened between 6.30pm and 9.15pm.

“The sick and sad thing is whoever done it took Holly’s ashes. The police believe they thought it was drugs. We are absolutely devastated, angry and sickened.



“We don’t care about whatever sick person done this we just want our Holly back :-( They are simply in a small plastic bag and tied in a knot.”