CALLOUS thieves have left vulnerable care home residents devastated after stealing their war medals, sentimental jewellery and funds raised by the community for stroke and dementia patients to have day trips.

Police officers and staff at Chilton Care Centre in Chilton, near Ferryhill, are urging those responsible for smashing their way into the home to “search their conscience” and return the items.

The thieves broke into a secure office at 11.45pm on Wednesday and ripped out a safe bolted to the floor, which contained medals from the Korea and Malaya campaigns as well as wedding rings, necklaces and earrings.

They also took £1,000 in cash raised by the community activities and trips to boost the wellbeing of the home's 35 residents.

The home's manager, Linda Fitzgerald, said it was the loss of the sentimental items, especially the medals belonging to Army veteran Lenny Hanratty, which was the hardest to bear.

“I can’t believe anyone would stoop so low,” she said. “We are all devastated. We are like a family here and its awful to think someone has come into our home and taken things.

“We are especially upset about the medals. They mean a great deal to the gentlemen they belong to. He was planning to put them in a frame next to a photograph of him in his uniform.”

Staff last night broke the news to the 89-year-old, who has dementia and is originally from Spennymoor. He was said to be very upset.

He was awarded the medals for service in Korea and Malaya and wore them at the Cenotaph in Chilton on Remembrance Day last year.

Senior carer Doreen Ridley said: “He was so happy that day. He turned to me and said ‘I’m proud to be here with you’ and I told him I was more proud to stand there with him.”

Carers working the night shift were alerted to the burglary by the sounds of banging. They checked on all of the residents before searching the building and grounds and discovering the window of Ms Fitzgerald’s office smashed. The office was locked and the thieves had barricaded the door from the inside.

No distress was caused to residents and the police were called immediately.

Ms Fitzgerald, who has worked at the St Philip’s Care home in Durham Road for ten years, said the distress staff and families were feeling had been made worse by "hurtful" comments on social media, criticising staff and suggesting it was an inside job.

“We have care staff here 24/7, but their first responsibility is the residents,” she said. “My staff did everything right that night and I am very proud of the fact they dealt with it without distressing the residents. Our doors are locked and coded but we can’t prevent someone smashing a window with a hammer.”

PC Matt Stasiak, of Durham Police, said: “This is a horrendous incident targeting vulnerable people some of whom have dementia. This has caused unnecessary stress and I would ask whoever is responsible to search their conscience and return these items.”

Anyone with information about the burglary or the stolen items is asked to contact PC Stasiak on 101 quoting incident number CR100068957.