A victim of theft has been left “absolutely devastated” when an urn containing the ashes of his late father was stolen.

The brown marble urn was taken from a Ford Mondeo parked in The Flag car park in Station Road in Watford between the hours of 8pm on July 17 and 7.30am the following morning. 

Along with the three-inch tall urn stored inside a yellow box in the glove compartment, a leather bag, jacket, wallet and laptop were also stolen. 

PC Scott Corne, said: “The urn contained the ashes of the victim’s late father and, understandably, he is absolutely devastated by the theft. 

“The offender may not have been aware of what they had taken but the victim is desperate to have the urn back. I would appeal for anyone who thinks they may have come across it to please get in touch.

“If you have any information about the theft, please contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Corne via the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/18673/18. You can also report information online at https://www.herts.police.uk/Report. 

Alternatively, you can contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will never need to go to court.