A SAFE containing more than £50,000 of jewellery was stolen from a Clanfield house on Monday in a high-value burglary.

Police are now trying to establish whether the break-in on Merritt Place is linked to similar burglary in Horndean on the same day where another safe was stolen.

The safe – which contained the ring and lapel pins pictured above – was the only item stolen in the Clanfield burglary according to officers.

PCSO Kieran Rogers said the culprit conducted an “untidy search” of the property after entering through the back door of the house sometime between 6.30am and 7.40pm.

Some of the stolen jewellery has since been returned to its owners as the safe was later found in One Hundred Acre wood, between Wickham and Newtown.

A grey freestanding safe containing gold and diamond jewellery was also stolen from a detached house off Keydell Avenue sometime between 7.10am and 3.20pm on the same day.

Other stolen items include a distinctive elephant hair bracelet and matching earrings.

Anyone who was anything suspicious at either address or in One Hundred Acre Wood on Monday should call Police Staff Investigator Hannah Hamper ay Fratton Police Station on 101, quoting 44170010565.

Alternatively, visit www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/do-it-online/online-forms/message-for-officer or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.