Disgruntled

My apologies too for not responding. I am sorry but I didn't read your original post. Being burgled is a terrible experience. No wonder you were very upset by it. I hope you are all recovering and able to put this behind you. Very best wishes for a happier 2017.

I was on the beginning of the thread, but quite often, or most of the time, do not read all posts after mine, or indeed very many at all, if it is the type of thread that people post their individual experiences over a couple of days.
There are only two posters who posted after your post. I suspect that perhaps other posters do the same as myself.

Your poor family. I have never had it happened, but my mum, who is as stoical as they come, even said that if she was burgled she would have to move house as she would find it too traumatic.

I did not see the OP.

Being burgled feels like a violation. It happened to my parents just after they buried my Gran (Mum's Mum)and it was the only time that there had been anything remotely valuable in the house: Clarice Cliff pottery, jewellery etc. - all left by my Gran. It almost felt as though someone knew that information, which made the whole thing even more creepy. My Mum's engagement ring also went. It took them a very long time to get over it.

I am sorry that your family has suffered this, but hope that the New Year will bring better times.

BB I think that a lot of us (myself included) didn't even look at the Christmas Weep thread.
As others say, a burglary is also a violation of your home, not just thievery, hope your family make their house safer as a result, the police are always happy to do a check and say what you should do/install.Sadly, many burglaries are never resolved as getting evidence is hard.I know that doing anything to the house seems like bolting the stable door after the horse has gone, but burglars do sometimes make return visits, so urge them to do all they can (not in front of the DGC of course.)

BBbevan I am very sorry to hear that but in my defence can only say I had not read the thread, as with a houseful, I did little more than dip into a few threads..
What a dreadful experience for them , I was very traumatised when we were burgled 45 years ago and even when it is "only" possessions, and no one is hurt, the violation of one's space is terrifying.
A good burglar alarm which is clearly visible from outside can be a good deterrent and should reassure them in the future.

So sorry to hear that BBevan. I haven't had time to go on GN for a week and just popping in briefly before another family visit. I'm sure your son and his family hope that something bad happens to those who burgled them, especially at this time of year. I would in their place. The people who did this have no conscience. Hope the little ones recover from their fright soon.

So sorry to hear that BBevan, how horrible and frightening. Did they take all the Christmas presents?
I didn't see your original post.

I remember when my neighbour was burgled, an old lady who had not long been widowed. They had downsized from a larger country house - and she said they had been burgled there three times and the police reckoned they were the same people following them and breaking into the new house. She said 'well, they've got it all now'.

However - she said that her husband had taken all the window locks off when they moved in because she didn't like them.

BBevan I'm so sorry, what an awful thing to happen to your family.

So - the advice was to take security measures and make your house the most difficult-looking to break into and burglars may avoid it as too much hassle.

I'm sorry too BBevan it's a terrible thing to have happened and such a shock. I didn't read or respond to the thread after my post. I normally do follow any thread I've posted on but didn't after all my visitors arrived. it just goes to show how Christmas can throw life into chaos. I hope your family especially the children are starting to recover from the fright. Let us know how they are coping.

I am so sorry BBevan, that must have been frightening for the family, do hope the children especially are getting over it. Horrible to think some low life has been ransacking their home. (Didn't read the "weep" thread, sounded a bit depressing).

Thank you all. No Christmas presents were taken, just DDiLs precious jewellery They have now got the house sorted. The Scene of Crime officer was brilliant. Gave the GDs a good lesson on fingerprints which they both loved. He did much to make them feel better.

I missed your thread too, unfortunately. Our house was burgled soon after I was first married and it was very upsetting. I hope your family aren't too traumatised.