A COUPLE had a sleepless night after they discovered a bible, knitting, and birth certificates had been stolen from their home.

Paul Hailey, from Meadow Close in Halstead, noticed the lights were on downstairs at about 4am.

He woke his wife Sarah after discovering the front door had also been left open.

A bible, £100 in cash, and a small drawer from a chest were stolen amongst other things.

Mr Hailey, 69, said: "I came down in the middle of the night as the light was on downstairs.

"It just follows a series of break ins along here over recent months.

"We assume they came in through the front door and even though it was locked I imagine they could still get in with the right tools.

"We found the personal documents had been thrown in a hedge down the road.

"There are virtually no policemen in North Essex, particularly at night."

The couple could not sleep after what happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Neighbours later found most of their personal items at the end of the road towards Ravens Avenue.

Mrs Hailey, 65, said: "I was asleep and my husband woke me up about 4am saying we had had a break in.

"I have two antique desks which had been opened and rifled through.

"They had taken £100 in cash which I had earned singing at a church choir, as well as marriage and birth certificates.

"I have got some old tea caddies which they lifted down from off the dresser and left in the middle of the room.

"I have only just realised my bible was taken and I had a pink bag full of knitting which they had taken- they were found dumped half way down the road."

Police ask anyone with information to call 101.