A police officer has urged the thieves who stole a jewellery box containing ashes to "do the right thing" and return the ashes.

Kay Leverton continues to investigate a burglary which took place in Stapleton Road in Borehamwood earlier this year.

Between 2pm and 8.20pm on Sunday April 4, a property was broken into and a jewellery box was taken, which Investigator Leverton says has caused "huge hurt" to a family.

The box contained the ashes of the victim’s late wife. Two charm bracelets, both worth hundreds of pounds, were also taken.

Despite enquiries being carried out, and previous media appeals, the box has not been found.

Investigator Leverton, from the Hertsmere local crime unit, said: "We are re-appealing for any information which could help in locating the jewellery box and the ashes in particular. They are of course of great sentimental value to the victim and I desperately urge anybody with information to get in touch.

"The jewellery box is a small dark oak brown box, three inches tall, with dimensions of 4x3 inches. It looks like a jewellery treasure chest and it has three legs (one is missing).

"I would also like to again appeal directly to those who stole the ashes. Please, please do the right thing and return the ashes to Borehamwood Police Station. Your actions have caused huge hurt to the family and they are desperate for the ashes to be returned."

“If you can help, call 101 or email me at kay.leverton@herts.police.uk quoting crime reference 41/24311/21."

You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.