A Teddington couple have issued an emotional plea to the burglars who broke into their home last weekend and stole jewellery passed down from the husband's grandparents who were killed at the Auschwitz concentration camps during WWII.

The Teddington residents returned home over the weekend to the devastating realisation their home had been burgled and items of huge historic and sentimental value had been taken.

A necklace with a large facetted gemstone with a matching bracelet was taken as well as a men's pinky ring, gold with a stone.

Speaking to Nub News, the wife, wishing to stay anonymous said: "These unique, one-off design items are all that my husband has left of his grandparents and one aunt, who were gassed at Auschwitz. These pieces were brought to England from Berlin by his teenage mother as she escaped via Holland, before the family were taken by the Nazis.

"These two pieces have huge historic and emotional value and this robbery came as an upsetting blow on top of my husband currently being in treatment for prostate cancer at the Royal Marsden. Sods law, they are normally kept in a bank safe deposit box, but were out for an event. Please, would you see it in your heart to return these items, anonymously if that helps you."

Bleach and various chemicals were sprayed across surfaces throughout the house to hide traces of DNA and the wife's watch was also stolen, a beloved present from her husband.

Twickenham Police have been informed and are working closely with the couple.

The Metropolitan Police Crime Number is 0709077/22 and Crime Stoppers can be contacted at 0800 555 111 - "100% anonymous. Always."

advertisement