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Original poster

WWYD if your cleaner stole your jewellery

86 replies

roastedsaltedpeanut · 07/07/2021 08:37

Just had the displeasure to find out a one-off cleaner recommended by a friend has absolutely cleared my antique jewelleries which I paid £6k for both worth significantly more on the open market. Diamond studded rings, diamond ear rings, solid silver bracelet and necklace…they are all gone, including my wedding band. What kind of a monster takes wedding bands?!

The trouble with me is that while I appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of antique jewellery, I am not comfortable wearing them. I only use them for special occasions to fit in with others, which is why it took me so long to realise they are gone. I feel rather silly and useless.

I don’t have cctv footage. I can only deduce that she had taken them because no one else is allowed upstairs in the bedroom.
I am gutted. I left her on her own out of respect, which had given her the opportunity to steal.

I know stressing over isn’t good for my mental health as I have just finished my sessions with the therapist. But I cannot shake off that retched gutted feeling of betrayal. As she only had the opportunity because I respected her and gave her space and went out of her way instead of hovering her, which I used to find distasteful but now 😭

OP posts:
IsolaPribby · 07/07/2021 08:39

Surely it's obvious? Call the police!

WeAreTheHeroes · 07/07/2021 08:39

Go to the police?

SmidgenofaPigeon · 07/07/2021 08:41

If only we had some sort of unit in this country that specifically dealt with crimes such as theft!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Clothing
TheGenealogist · 07/07/2021 08:42

How long is "so long"?

Obviously police, but if you're talking months or years, I wouldn't be holding my breath for a satisfaction resolution.

Horehound · 07/07/2021 08:43

Yes, why would you think of calling police?

Horehound · 07/07/2021 08:44

Wouldn't*!

Ohshittt · 07/07/2021 08:44

Get the police phoned now! 6k is hardly a petty theft, she may still have them in her possession! Phone local pawn shops as well and describe them as well so they can looked put for them!

Ohshittt · 07/07/2021 08:45

Also just read the 'so long' unfortunately I think they will be well gone. Can you be sure it was the cleaner? When was she last working for you?

C8H10N4O2 · 07/07/2021 08:52

I can only deduce that she had taken them because no one else is allowed upstairs in the bedroom

So you are assuming its her, despite not even knowing when the jewellery went, because your friends, visitors and family are all above any suspicion?

How did she even know it was there?

PP are correct. A theft should be reported to the police. They may not take it for granted that only cleaners steal.

FijiCavanaugh · 07/07/2021 10:50

Call the police obviously. Checks can be done at pawn shops for example.

30degreesandmeltinghere · 07/07/2021 10:53

Cleaner here... Were they in show? Could she have popped them in a drawer?
Can't imagine anyone being so brazen.

Original poster
roastedsaltedpeanut · 07/07/2021 11:40

Realistically, there is nothing the police can do for me. It has been two weeks she was last here and three weeks since I even looked at these jewellery. I also do not have any concrete evidence other than knowing she is the only person other than DH and I to have access to that room. I can confidently rule out anyone else because both our families are overseas atm and we have not entertained since the start of COVID last year. We only had one bbq with a close friend couple and their kids and I was wearing the missing jewellery!

They were not on show in the bedroom but not exactly difficult to get to. They are in a middle drawer below the dressing table, decorated as a mirrored edge, purposely designed for jewellery for easy access.

I will ring the police and get a crime number. I can't see how I will ever see those lovely pieces ever again or be compensated in anyway.

I feel like I am being forced to choose between having lovely things or having a well looked after house.
The question remains, what would you do? Had something similar happened to you and what did you do? install CCTV inside (seems awfully intrusive)? never have another cleaner ever again (too drastic)? install a safe (which attracts thieves like moths to fire)?

I am tempted to sell everything else I got and announce nonchalantly each time a new one comes in that I have nothing worth stealing in this house and I made sure of that.

OP posts:
IcedSpice · 07/07/2021 11:42

install a safe (which attracts thieves like moths to fire)?

but stops people taking stuff you dont want them to take??

You need to report to the police, and then maybe claim on your insurance

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 07/07/2021 11:43

Of course you should go to the cops. Are you not insured?

Zarene · 07/07/2021 11:45

I feel like I am being forced to choose between having lovely things or having a well looked after house.

I can see you’re upset, but that’s absurd. Find someone you trust, lock away valuables, or do your own cleaning.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 07/07/2021 11:47

I would be contacting the police and contacting the cleaner and friend and kicking up a big stink tbh

ArsenicNLace · 07/07/2021 11:47

Actually there are lots of things the Police could do. They could get a warrant and search her address. They could check local antique & pawn shops to see if they have been put up for sale (you could this too). They could also check eBay to see if they've been put up for sale there or FB market place or any other online selling platform (as could you).

They have been stolen in the last three weeks so it's definitely not too late!

Ohsugarhoneyicetea · 07/07/2021 11:49

Call the police, report a burglary, claim on house insurance. Hopefully you have some evidence of ownership, photos receipts etc. This has happened to me several times sadly, I no longer have cleaners for this reason.

RHTawneyonabus · 07/07/2021 11:49

Even a simple lock on the drawer would be better than leaving them accessible to anyone. That way also you’d know because you would see the lock had been broken or whatever. I think a safe is a good option personally.

Think all you can do now is report to the police and claim in insurance. I doubt the police will do anything.

SirenSays · 07/07/2021 11:58

If you aren't going to report, I'd start calling shops and checking online to see if anyone has tried to sell it.

AnaViaSalamanca · 07/07/2021 12:04

I have had direct experience with this. By all means call the police, but be prepared for a lecture from them about security, a bit of busy work and nothing else.

fruitbrewhaha · 07/07/2021 12:07

report to the police.

report to your insurance company.

Send phots if missing items to pawn shops.

Check ebay.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 07/07/2021 12:14

Some folk are disgusting.

Get it reported, check locally and eBay.

It isn’t about the cost for me (although 6k is understandably upsetting).

Someone stole rings my granda bought for my 18th. I know who did it, can’t prove it.

I’d rather they had nicked the money from my purse.

SmidgenofaPigeon · 07/07/2021 12:15

Not the point of your thread but I wouldn’t so sure that the resale value of the jewellery would be as high as you say.

KaptainKaveman · 07/07/2021 12:17

I feel as if I am being forced to choose between having lovely things and having a well looked after house

That is a ridiculous statement. Just lock the valuables away - that's what anyone else would do. If you aren't prepared to do that, or to go to the police then you will just have to slum it with the proles and do your own cleaning. Hmm.