THIS is the mess left behind after burglars ransacked a home in Lowestoft.

These pictures, which have been released by Lowestoft police with the householder's consent, show the home in Westwood Avenue, which was burgled overnight on Thursday, August 11 and Friday, August 12.

A quantity of jewellery was taken – including a teddy bear brooch with multi-coloured stones around the outside, a heart shaped pendant necklace with red stones, a signet ring with a dark red stone, two solitaire diamond rings and a gold pocket watch – but the burglar or burglars also caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage in the break-in and search.

And in a bid to encourage more people to assist in the fight against the small minority committing this type of crime, detectives have released these images.

Officers have arrested and charged a number of individuals in the past few weeks in connection with home burglaries in the town but offences are continuing and police are determined to catch the individuals who are causing misery to householders.

Detective Chief Inspector David Cutler said burglars had no thought for their victims when committing these crimes.

'To return home and find this is a very distressing and unsettling experience and the long-term impact of this kind of offence should not be underestimated,' DCI Cutler said.

'I'm sure none of us – even the burglars themselves – would want this to happen to someone we cared about, but the victim could so easily be your parent, child, or best friend and we need you to play your part to help us to catch those responsible.

'Those committing these offences are a small minority who have no regard for other peoples homes and property. We have a good track record for detecting burglary offences in Lowestoft and putting those offenders before the courts.

'Police officers and staff at Lowestoft are continually working to target and catch these criminals but we need evidence to convict them and members of the public can really help us with this.

'We need you to call immediately, using 999, if you see or hear anything that may mean a crime is in progress – some smashing a window, someone climbing into a property or being in the back garden of a home when you know they don't live there,' DCI Cutler added.

'The individuals committing these crimes do not deserve any loyalty, they clearly have no regard for anyone else and think nothing of destroying the property and belongings of those living in the community. I would ask people to look at this picture and if they have any knowledge at all of who is responsible for committing these offences or where the property being stolen is being taken to contact us.'

• If you have any information telephone Lowestoft CID on 01986 835300 or talk to Crimestoppers, anonymously if required, on 0800 555 111.