A PENARTH family who had their house burgled just a few weeks ago have been struck by crime again.

Thieves stole a WWI gold pocket watch and two sets of car keys from the house on Clive Crescent on Saturday, November 8.

The family sent the cars away for the locks to be replaced, but shortly after one of the cars was returned it was stolen from outside their house between 10pm and 11pm on Wednesday, November 26.

There have been no sightings of the silver grey Volvo V50 since it was taken, but the family are hoping it can still be found.

Simon Elias, who appeared in the Penarth Times appealing for the “irreplaceable” pocket watch to be returned shortly after it was stolen, said that he believed a mix-up with the insurers and repairers led to the locks not being changed, and that the perpetrators of the original burglary had returned to the scene of the crime.

He added that the family was hopeful that if the car can be found it may lead to forensics that could help police track down the pocket watch.

He has also warned other local residents to be vigilant of crime in the area.

“It’s unbelievable that this sort of thing can happen,” he said.

“People should know so that this doesn’t happen in the local community again.

“Hopefully bad luck doesn’t come in three’s.”

He added: “My main hope is if it’s found there is forensics in there that could help police find the watch.

“There’s a slim hope of getting it back, but we are still hopeful.”

The Volvo V50 had the number plate GF56 LNR. If you have seen it, or anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time, call the police on the non-emergency number 101.