CRUEL raiders sprayed bleach across the floors and walls of a home after smashing their way in and snatching jewellery.

The brazen daylight burglary was carried out by two hooded thieves, who waited until Riadh Dhahak and his wife were out of the house.

They smashed through glass doors at the rear of the bungalow, before “turning the place upside down”.

Mr Dhahak, 46, says he and his wife spent all night tidying their home, where they have lived for 16 years, after the break-in.

While they are still counting the cost of the damage, repairs to the smashed back door will cost around £1,500.

Mr Dhahak said: “We believe we were being watched as when my wife went home at around 12.30pm they had already been and gone.

“The place was ransacked, it was a mess. They turned the place upside down.

“They smashed the glass French doors to get in and poured bleach everywhere.

“It was all over the living room and they sprayed a substance on the wall.

“It was strange because they didn’t take the iPad or a Galaxy phone, they seemed to be looking for something specific.

"They knew what they were doing, they seemed to be professional, they even checked the loft as well.

“The jewellery included a bracelet given to me by my mum - some of it had sentimental value.”

The burglary took place at around 11.45am on Monday, in Kingswood Road, Mile End, Colchester.

Mr Dhahak is appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

He said: “We have never been targeted before, but when my elderly neighbour passed away a few years ago her house was burgled.

“Our neighbours have CCTV which caught two people with their faces covered at the front of the property at around 11.45am.

“Then a few minutes after they were at the back.

“Police turned up at 5pm but they told us they were wearing gloves so they can’t do much.

He added: “I don’t want these people to get away with this.

“If they do, they will surely do it again.

“I want people in the town to be aware of what’s going on - I think it is important to speak out about it.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/14184/18.