Police are looking into a robbery, which occurred in Thriffwood Road, South East London in the early hours of Thursday morning, December 15.

Thieves broke into a Silver Ford Galaxy and stole a cello, satnav and loose change. It is believed that they gained access to the vehicle by a magnetic tag, which allowed them to open the car without causing any exterior damage.

Rebecca Maskell uses the cello to play music to babies and toddlers at Monkey Music, an organisation for pre-school children and babies, designed to expose them to music from an early age.

She said: “To have the enviable opportunity of bringing live music to a very young audience is the most rewarding job in the world.

“I am devastated as I have owned this ‘cello since my college days nearly 40 years ago. My elderly parents bought it for me. Neither of them know of my loss as they are both extremely frail and it would be too distressing for them to hear.”

Anyone who has information about this crime, should call Lewisham Police Station on 101 and quote reference 3229518/16 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 - crimestoppers-uk.org