A Suffolk reverend has spoken of his sadness after thieves burgled his vicarage in broad daylight.

Reverend Mark Woodrow, of St James’ Vicarage, in Bear Street, Nayland, said he felt “violated” by the burglary on Wednesday afternoon.

The incident saw cash, a laptop, an iPad, a watch and a bag stolen.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the burglary, which happened sometime between 1.45pm and 4pm in the village on the Suffolk/Essex border.

Rev Woodrow, who lives at the vicarage, said: “It looks like they put all the stuff into a school bag, which had been emptied, and made their way through taking what they could.

“You feel violated. We live quite near a primary school and it happened probably right around the time when there were lots of cars and people about picking up children.

“It’s one of those things that happens unfortunately.

“The watch had sentimental value and cannot be replaced but it’s happened now.”

Rev Woodrow praised the police and Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich for their support following the burglary.

“Everyone has been very good,” he said.

“It’s all going through the insurers now and they’ve been good.

“The diocese has been out and changed the locks and the police have been great since it all happened.”

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or saw any suspicious behaviour around the time to contact them.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Constabulary said: “We were called at 4:10pm on Wednesday following reports of a burglary at a property in Nayland.

“At some point between 1:45pm and 4pm on Wednesday, April 2, an offender(s) has entered a property in Bear Street and stolen a laptop, iPad 4, an amount of cash, a pocket watch and a bag.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw any suspicious behaviour should contact Suffolk police on 101, quoting crime reference 37/23868/18.

Alternatively people can contact independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Information can also be reported anonymously via the Crimestoppers website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org by filling in an online form.