Rachel Murray, a mother of five, returned home from a barbecue with friends, when she realised something was not right.

“My family and I went for a barbecue on Friday afternoon at about 6.30pm, and we got home about ten past nine,” she said.

“When the five kids and I came home, I noticed my front door was open just a little, but and I thought, ‘Oh my god, I didn’t shut the door’.

“I walked in and didn’t take a lot of notice, and then I sort of looked in my bedroom and all the cupboards and draws were open and my jewellery box was sitting on my bed.

“Everything was just gone.”

Among those items taken were; a Guess watch, Ms Murray’s engagement ring, earrings and a bangle and an ipad and a mobile phone belonging to her children.

What is most upsetting, Ms Murray said, is a ring given to her by her grandmother, was also taken.

She believes the thieves entered the home by pushing a garbage bin below a bathroom window, and climbing through the door.

Ms Murray said she could have disturbed the thieves when she returned home.

“I’m really scared, I’m locking things constantly now,” she told The Leader.

“But I’m also hearing they’re (the thieves) are kicking people’s doors in, my little kids are that frightened.” 

“I have a fear they’re going to come back, I think I disturbed them when I pulled up in the driveway.

“A neighbour, two houses up from me, found a yellow envelope the next morning; it had all my Christmas lay-buy receipts in it.

“From what I can gather they must have thought it was money, but when they realised it wasn’t, they’ve thrown it.” 

Tamworth police have confirmed they’re investigating the incident and have urged anyone with information to contact them on (02) 6768 2999, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.