TWO families have today been left devastated after thieves stole Christmas decorations from their homes just a few yards apart.Janice Crawford, 56, was shocked to discover her reindeer and sleigh were missing from her front garden and that thieves had cut the wire leading to her electricity supply.

TWO families have today been left devastated after thieves stole Christmas decorations from their homes just a few yards apart.

Janice Crawford, 56, was shocked to discover her reindeer and sleigh were missing from her front garden and that thieves had cut the wire leading to her electricity supply.

Mrs Crawford, of Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham, said: “They were all there Monday evening when I went to bed but when I went out to look at the lights outside my bedroom window on Tuesday afternoon I noticed a space and I thought; 'Blimey, my reindeer and sleigh have gone!

“I came in and immediately phoned my husband because I thought someone was having a joke.”

Mrs Crawford, her husband, John, and her 18-year-old daughter, Danielle, have been left distraught by the theft which held great sentimental value.

Mrs Crawford said: “I was really upset because my mum died in June and she left us some money which we used to buy the decorations with.

“We are all really angry about it and everybody who knows us is mad about it too, I just think it's disgusting.”

The Day family live just a few yards down the road from the Crawfords who have also fallen victim to the thefts, which police are linking.

They had a 7ft snowman and a robin light decoration taken from the front of their home in daylight.

Susan Day, 49, of Stowmarket Road, said: “I left the house with my granddaughter just before 10am on Tuesday and she noticed them because she said: 'Grandma, snow man is sleeping', and I told her I would put the lights on when I got home.

“But at 11am I had a call from my husband, Geoffrey, who said they had gone.

“It's just unbelievable; it was done on a main road in daylight.”

Mrs Day's 14-year-old son, Adam, was devastated when he heard of the theft, he said: “I spent a good few hours over two days after school putting them up so I was pretty gutted to see that they'd gone.”

Mrs Day said: “I just can't believe it, I really, really can't. It's just horrible to think someone would do that.

“Honestly, if they had knocked on my door and asked for them, I would have given them to them because we are that kind of people.”

Police are now investigating the incidents and anyone with information are asked to call PCSO Sian Uttley at the Mid Suffolk South Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Have you been the victim of theft this Christmas? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.