The occupants of a Dunmow home are “distraught” after burglars entered their property while they were asleep and stole their wallet and purse containing pictures of their dead parents.

The thieves entered the New Street home between midnight and 7.30am on Monday. It is believed they used an alleyway which runs behind homes in New Street and New Street Fields to get inside.

Once they were in the house they stole four bottles of wine, a Hewlett Packard laptop and bag, and a wallet and purse containing £50 in cash.

The victims, who did not wish to be identified, said: “This has really been quite a distressing incident for us. The very thought that someone was in our house while we were asleep upstairs has come as a great shock.

“We have lived in Dunmow for 19 years and to our knowledge there has never been a crime or burglary in our area. Most upsetting for us is that pictures of our late parents which were in our wallet and purse were taken and we would dearly love to get those back.”

Police are appealing for information about a burglary.

Detective Constable Nick Campbell said: “It would appear they tried a number of back gates leading on to the alleyway and if any were insecure they then entered gardens and tried the windows and doors of the homes.

“Eventually they got lucky and found an unlocked window. Once inside that house they stole four bottles of wine – including Cava, Prosecco and a 2010 Cotes du Rousillion Burgundy from Mass de Montagnes, a Hewlett Packard laptop and bag, and a wallet and purse containing £50 in cash.

“If anyone saw any suspicious behaviour in this area or close by between the relevant times I would ask them to call me at Braintree Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

He added: “I would also like to remind householders that even with the current hot weather you should make sure that all windows and doors that can be easily accessed from outside are secured at nights to reduce the chances of thieves getting into your homes. Unfortunately burglars do not care about the impact of their crimes and will exploit any opportunity to get into properties.”