A former soldier has been left distraught after his medals were burgled from his house.

Veteran Bob Vincent and wife Pauline left their home in Strood to visit their granddaughter in Essex and when they returned, they found their home had been ransacked.

The thieves were able to gain access to the home after their fence fell down in heavy winds.

During the raid three of great-grandfather Bob's medals were taken, along with some of his wife's jewellery.

Their housing provider mhs homes visited the property in Daffodil Road and moved the damaged panelling but hadn't yet been able to repair the fence, leaving the garden open.

Bob – who completed four tours of Northern Ireland – has now installed CCTV outside and inside his house.

The 66-year-old said: "That's how insecure we feel. We are both upset.

"It does get to you, especially when you lose your possessions.

"I don't think there's any chance of getting anything back to be realistic. I know that my wife's quite upset; I got her a bracelet for Christmas with her name in it and she hadn't worn it yet.

"Things like that can be replaced, it's the insecurities and the feelings that can't be replaced, they are playing on my mind."

Bob has now got his grandchildren to prop up the fence and is waiting for it to be repaired properly.

Police issued an appeal to find the medals: a General Service Medal (silver medal with mauve and green ribbon and Northern Ireland bar), a Long Service Medal (silver medal with burgundy and white ribbon) and a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (gold medal with blue and red ribbon).

The break-in is thought to have happened between 2.15pm and 7.15pm on Monday, January 27.

Stephanie Goad, operations director at mhs homes said: “We are aware of this incident and both we and Kent Police are investigating it. We’ll continue to liaise with our customers throughout this process.

"There’s nothing more that we can say at this stage, until we know the outcome and conclusions of the investigations.”

Anyone with any information regarding the incident is asked to call the Kent Police appeals line on 01634792209 quoting reference 46/17042/20."

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by dialling 0800 555 111 or completing the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

To read about the Armed Forces and how they have served Kent and beyond, click here.

To get the latest updates on ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

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