Police appeal after pensioner's prosthetic eye which he has treasured for 73 years is stolen

Police are hunting thieves who stole a pensioner's prosthetic eye during a burglary. The 79-year-old victim has had the eye since he was six and describes it as a "part of his body".

Avon and Somerset Police said the man lost his eye following an accident and detectives have urged the thieves to return it as it is of no use to them. The eye is a blue-green colour and is thought to have been made from of a type of plastic.



Thieves broke into the house the pensioner shares with his wife in Downend, South Gloucestershire after forcing a window. The burglary took place between midnight and 4am last Wednesday while the couple slept. The thieves also found car keys and used them to steal the couple's red Seat Leon.

Detective sergeant Jason Hulbert, who is investigating the burglary, said: "This couple are obviously very upset by the burglary and the theft of their car, but it is even more distressing for this gentleman to have lost his prosthetic eye. This can have no use or value to the thieves and I would appeal for them to do the right thing and return it."