I now suspect my cleaning lady of theft for which I can't prove categorically but given

[Gidleigh]

there is no other person who has had access it really can't be anyone else. Does anyone have experience or can offer advice on how they dealt with this type of situation? The missing item is valuable and I am possibly thinking of getting the law involved but given no proof I don't know if it will lead to anything... advice please

What's gone?
Are you absolutely 100% sure no-one else could have taken it? DP/dc's/Dm no one could have broken it/hidden it etc?

Its a watch and yes already checked with DP and where I left is out of reach of DCs and to make sure I spent to whole of this week turning the house over in search of it but is gone. I hate the thought of it but items simply don't go missing by themselves.. I'm very stressed about it.

It wasn't near a window or door that some chancer could have just leant in and taken it?

no definatley not.

well you have a few options.
1/ Mention it to the cleaner to see if she has put it somewhere for safe keeping, mention that you're upset and are reporting it to the police... see what she says
2/ scour the house again then if it doesn't turn up report it to the police
3/sack the cleaner and swallow the fact you've lost it.
Is it insured?

That's good Ingles...I'd add that if she isn't aware you suspect her, she might quite possibly 'find' it very shortly after you mention the police. Worth a try anyway.

Agree with 1 and 2 of ingles post.

1. Has anything else gone missing? Set a trap? Doubt she will do anything else for a while but if she feels she has got away with it, she will continue.

Strange to steal a watch though, as it is going to be spotted soon enough and she will know she was the only one in the house.

Perhaps mention it to her that it was there before she arrived and within 10 mins of her leaving you noticed it missing? Whats the betting it arrives back somewhere else in the house.

Has she cleaned for you long? Just trying to get a picture of how well you know her?

My friend went to the police when he thought the cleaner was stealing electicals - ipod and camera. Police declined to do anything about it.

I'd say "I've lost this watch, have you seen it? Oh dear, I'll have to get the police involved as it's valuable. Could you keep an eye open for it, just in case?"

Great suggestions.. will try and see if I get any results!