A man has been left struggling to care for his 77-year-old wife after their home was burgled and his car stolen.

Ken Hare of Barleycroft, Stevenage, went downstairs and into his living room late on Sunday night after his wife Gillian, who has Alzheimer’s, became uneasy in her sleep.

After Mr Hare fell asleep in an armchair, at least one burglar forced his way into the house between 2am and 5am on Monday. The burglars took keys for his front door and car, but it was only when Mr Hare woke up that he discovered his garage had been opened and his black Suzuki Swift had been stolen.

The 67-year-old said: “My wife and I have lived in Stevenage for 30 years now and I have never known anything like this to happen around here.

“That car was really important to me because I often have to make trips to the shops and I can’t be out for too long as I have to care for my wife. I don’t have the time to spend nearly an hour on the bus each way.

“I have had to have the front door locks changed and have had to ask people for lifts into town just so I can get the shopping done. It has been a real nightmare.

“I just think people should know about this so they can be on the lookout and hopefully it won’t happen to anyone else.”

Police are asking for anyone with information to call them on non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.