Masked burglars raid England captain Ben Stokes’ home

Ben Stokes  (John Walton/PA Wire)
Ben Stokes (John Walton/PA Wire)

Ben Stokes says a masked gang burgled his home when his wife and two children were there.

England cricket captain, 33, was away playing in Pakistan for the recent Test series.

He said his family did not come to any physical harm but a number of sentimental items were taken.

Stokes posted pictures of the missing items on Instagram, including the medal for the OBE which he received in 2020, a Christian Dior handbag, a gold ring with England cricket insignia and bracelets.

Ben Stokes was presented with his OBE for services to cricket following an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, (PA)
Ben Stokes was presented with his OBE for services to cricket following an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, (PA)

He also posted pictures of three necklaces, a ring and a designer bag.

Stokes posted pictures of some of the missing items (Ben Stokes Instagram)
Stokes posted pictures of some of the missing items (Ben Stokes Instagram)
The England ring stolen by the raiders (Ben Stokes Instagram)
The England ring stolen by the raiders (Ben Stokes Instagram)
A Christian Dior bag was also among the items taken (Ben Stokes Instagram)
A Christian Dior bag was also among the items taken (Ben Stokes Instagram)

“By far the worst thing about this crime is that it was carried out while my wife and two young children were in the house,“ he said.

“Thankfully, none of my family came to any physical harm.

“Understandably, however, the experience has had an impact on their emotional and mental state.

“All we can think about is how much worse this situation could have been.”

Stokes, who lives in Castle Eden in County Durham, said the incident occurred on the evening of October 17.

Stokes added: “I am releasing photographs of some of the stolen items - which I hope may be easily identified - in the hope that we can find the people who are responsible for this.

“Although we have lost cherished possessions, to be clear, my sole motivation in sharing these photographs is not the recovery of material items. It is to catch the people who did this.

“They escaped with jewellery, other valuables and a good deal of personal items. Many of those items have real sentimental value for me and my family. They are irreplaceable.

“This is an appeal for any help in finding these people who carried out this act.”

Stokes received his OBE from Prince William at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace (PA)
Stokes received his OBE from Prince William at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace (PA)

He encouraged anyone with information to call Durham Constabulary on 101 quoting crime reference CRI00575927.