Thieves smashed the patio doors of a home before stealing jewellery during a burglary.

Police have released an image of a distinctive watch that was stolen during the incident in Kingswood Road, Watford, between 10.45am on Thursday, November 9 and 11.50am on Sunday, November 12.

Between these times, thieves broke into a home through the back garden before smashing the patio doors and searching the upstairs’ bedrooms.

They took a large amount of gold jewellery, including:

• A 9ct gold Longines watch, engraved with “presentation for 25 years’ service with M&S. MW Minns 1981”

• An 18ct gold ladies’ Victorian engraved pocket watch (pictured)

• A 9ct gold cufflinks entwined and engraved with ‘D.R.M’

PC Lewis Mortimer, from the Watford Local Crime Unit, said: “We are doing everything we can to trace those responsible for this burglary that has left the victims devastated, as the items taken were of huge sentimental value.

“I am urging people to think about whether they may have seen items matching the description available for sale in an antique shop, or perhaps online.”

Anyone with information can email lewis.mortimer2@herts.pnn.police.uk, or call Hertfordshire Constabulary on the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference C4/17/3337.