Officers investigating two burglaries on the same road are appealing to the public for help.
Elderly homeowners were targeted during both break-ins – which police currently suspect could be linked.
Sentimental pieces of jewellery were taken in the burglaries from separate homes in Browning Road, Balderton.
Both properties were unattended when they were broken into, so the incidents could have happened days before being discovered.
The glass panel of a door was smashed at one of the addresses at some point between 30 November and the evening of 3 December.
Two pocket watches purchased back in the 1950s were taken during the incident by intruders following a messy search of the property.
Fast forward to 5 December, and another house in Browning Road was found to have been ransacked by burglars while the homeowners were away.
A conservatory was smashed to gain access this time, before thieves helped themselves to large amounts of cash and other sentimental items.
Various pieces of jewellery, including a woman’s Rotary watch and an engagement ring – again both bought back in the 1950s – were stolen from the house.
This burglary is believed to have taken place at some point between 1pm on 30 November and 4.30pm on 5 December.
Police have been investigating both burglaries since they were reported and currently believe they could be linked due to the timings and locations.
Detective Constable Liam O’Kane, of Nottinghamshire Police’s county burglary team, said:
“As you’d imagine, these break-ins have caused considerable distress due to the extremely sentimental items taken from both properties.
“In the eyes of those who have been affected, these pieces of jewellery really are priceless, so they’re desperate to have these family heirlooms returned.
“We’re determined to do the same and to track down whoever may have been responsible for these burglaries, which we do think could be linked to one another.
“Having already conducted extensive enquiries within the community, we’re now turning to the public for any help they might be able to provide to our investigation.
“If you saw or heard anything suspicious, think you might know where this jewellery could be, or have any other piece of information, we’d ask you to please share it with us.”
Information can be reported to the police directly on 101, quoting incidents 25000708173 or 25000712184, while Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.
