My ex-wife is is a full time carer for her next door neighbour, who is 101 and last week my ex-wife's mother died in Ireland.

In order to ensure that the neighbour was looked after she was taken to a private nursing home for a week’s stay at some considerable cost.

Returning to Walthamstow from Ireland last Friday afternoon, my ex-wife discovered that her house had been ransacked and all her jewellery and other valuables had been stolen.

A difficult week for her now became unbearable, with the result that she is frightened to leave the house other than to attend to her neighbour.

As you can imagine when the news was broken to the neighbour, she was inconsolable and is now in a semi-permanent state of fear.

As for the burglary, it wasn’t the fact that the French windows at the back were smashed in, but the house was ransacked and all the beds turned over and clothing and paperwork strewn all over the house.

Even my granddaughter’s cot was thoroughly searched, possibly because the culprits thought the 18-month-old child might have hidden her valuables under the mattress!

The police were of course sympathetic and offered all sorts of helpful advice, but no words or gestures can alleviate my ex-wife’s perpetual fear of being targeted by these and other criminals and that of her very aged neighbour.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident, as the majority of the neighbours in the street have also been burgled and the local police appear helpless in protecting the neighbourhood.

This letter is to highlight the results and consequences of the actions of individuals who behave not so much in an anti-social manner, but rather act as they have no respect or regards for their victims. 

The impact of their actions on my ex-wife and indeed her neighbour will be long-lasting and no doubt many nightmares will ensue for a considerable length of time.

In the case of this one burglary it is not just a solitary victim who is impacted but loved ones, extended families and neighbours and all for a relatively small amount of money.

Such misery for so little gain.

Sean Sheridan.