A YOUNG widow from Fordingbridge has been left devastated after thieves stole her handbag containing a mobile phone full of cherished photographs of her late husband and their children.
Jackie Selwood, 30, told the Journal her “heart dropped” when she discovered her car window had been smashed and her bag stolen from her car she had parked at Ringwood Forest last Tuesday (January 25).
Her husband Chris died from leukaemia two years ago, when he was just 28. The couple had been together for 12 years and had two children, four-year-old Hannah and six-year-old Robin.
She said the crushing blow was that thieves had stolen her mobile phone - the lifeline to her children.
“My daughter Hannah was cycling ahead of me and told me that our car window was broken,” said Jackie.
“I went into utter panic when I saw what had happened - they had smashed the passenger window and punctured my tyre.
“I was desperately worried about being late to pick up my son and that I had no way of getting hold of him.”
“The worst thing is that I never leave my house without my phone. I dread to think that my children cannot reach me or that I cannot reach them. When I started to walk I knew I had left my phone in the car and thought at the time I should go back for it.
“This was the first time I had ever left the phone - I always carry it with me.”
Jackie said: “My handbag also contained pictures of Chris, who died two years ago and pictures of my father, who died ten weeks after him. My phone had a photograph of Hannah's first day at school.
“I am so upset. I hate it that these people think they can steal other people's property. They have absolutely no idea of the pain and suffering they cause.
“I just want to warn everyone never to leave your valuables in the car.”
Hampshire Police are reinforcing the message after thieves targeted two cars parked in Godshill Wood and Woodgreen Road on Monday (January 31).
A tan leather bag was stolen from a Peugeot 307 and a leather saddle was taken from a Mercedes Benz between 3.20pm and 4pm.
PC Alex Willson, from Fordingbridge Safer Neighbourhoods team, said: “We would urge anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the area around those times to contact police.
“We would also like to remind people never to leave any valuables inside their unattended vehicles at these remote car parks. Even hiding items in the boot or under the seats is not enough to protect your vehicle, as thieves will often watch and wait while you do this. It is always better to take valuables with you. Quite simply, if it's not left in the vehicle it can't be stolen.
He added: “If you ever see anyone acting suspiciously around vehicles then please note down a description and telephone the police immediately.”
Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to contact PC Alex Willson at Fordingbridge police station on 101, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.
I
