Letter written by girl to burglar sent to criminals by police

A letter written by a 10-year-old girl to a burglar who raided her home is being sent to criminals by police in an attempt to make them mend their ways this Christmas.

Amy Winteridge, from Shipley, West Yorkshire, told the burglar she was ''scared to death'' to return to her home and asked him why he decided to target her family.



West Yorkshire Police said the man was ''visibly moved'' when Amy's mother, Catherine Wossick, read him the letter during a probation service meeting and the message was now being sent out in a Christmas card to other known criminals across the Bradford district.

The letter is now the centre of a special Christmas card, which will be sent out to known burglars in the hope it will make some of them think about their actions and how they affect children in the homes they target.



Chief Superintendent Alison Rose said: ''This card looks just like any other Christmas card until you open it, then you see the letter written by Amy. It's a very emotive letter and should soften even the hardest heart.

''I hope that criminals who receive the card read it and think about the words. Some of them will have children or younger brothers and sisters and should consider how they would be affected by a burglary at their home.''