Caterham Neighbourhood Officers are appealing for witnesses following the theft of a van containing thousands of pounds of valuable furniture.

The incident occurred when a Transit van was stolen at approximately 12pm on Saturday, 22 May.  The vehicle was parked outside a property in Buxton Lane and was loaded with the occupant's furniture when it was stolen. The contents of the van included an antique French oak dining table, an antique Rosewood chest of drawers, a Belgium carved ladder back arm chair and six ladder back Belgium provincial oak chairs, along with several other household pieces of furniture. The total value of the vans contents is estimated at approximately £10,000.

The van is described as a silver Ford Transit van, with blue interior paintwork and upholstery.

The owner of the stolen property said: "I cannot believe that someone stole the van I was using to move my possessions. I have rented the property and was clearing the house, now many of my treasured pieces will be missing from my new home, along with irreplaceable childhood pictures, handwritten school exercise books written by my late mother and a family photo album.

Neighbourhood Sergeant, Dan Gutierrez said: "This was an opportunist theft that has left a local resident distressed and without many of her personal and valuable belongings.  The Ford Transit van is quite distinctive in colour and someone may have seen it being driven away, I would urge anyone that was in the area and may have seen the van on Saturday after 12pm or knows its whereabouts to come forward with their information.

"We would like to speak to a man that was in the area just before the transit was stolen and who may have information that will help find the thieves. He was driving a small Royal blue van, the driver is described as early 20s slim build, fairly short, with blonde scruffy hair and was wearing light coloured trousers or shorts and a grey vest.

"Several of the stolen items were antiques and possibly a local antique business or dealer may have been offered one or more of the items to buy, or alternatively you may have seen the items for sale on an Internet auction site.  If you have any information that may further the investigation please contact us quoting reference TD/10/2437."