A heartfelt letter written by a 10-year-old girl to a burglar who raided her home is being sent to criminals in an attempt to make them mend their ways this Christmas.
Amy Winteridge, from Shipley, West Yorkshire, told the burglar she was 'scared to death' to return to her home and asked him why he decided to target her family.
West Yorkshire Police said the man was 'visibly moved' when Amy's mother, Catherine Wossick, read him the letter during a probation service meeting and the message was now being sent out in a Christmas card to other known criminals across the Bradford district.
Amy's letter reads: 'When I found out that I had been burgled I was crying. And I refused to come home so I had to sleep at my Anties (sic) and I tryed (sic) to make my mum let my stay for another night because I was scared to death.'
It continues: 'I feel so so so sad that you did this to me!'
The schoolgirl's message ends with a list of questions, including asking who came up with the 'stupid idea' to burgle the house, what had happened to the stolen property and whether the man had ever burgled anyone else.
A picture of a crying girl at the bottom of the page is labelled 'me upset'.
Amy originally wrote down her feelings about the crime as part of West Yorkshire Probation Service's restorative justice process, in which victims of crime are given the opportunity to get answers to any questions they may have.
The letter is now the centre of a special Christmas card, which will be sent out to known burglars in the hope it will make some of them think about their actions and how they affect children in the homes they target.
Ms Wossick said: 'It's been really good for Amy because obviously she was very upset after the burglary and I think that it's helped her deal with it.
The letter has now been reprinted on a Christmas card and will be sent to criminals in an attempt to make them mend their ways
'I'm extremely proud that this letter has been chosen and I think it's a fantastic idea and I really do hope it will make some people stop and think before they put anyone else or any other children through what's happened to my daughter.'
Chief Superintendent Alison Rose said: 'This card looks just like any other Christmas card until you open it, then you see the letter written by Amy. It's a very emotive letter and should soften even the hardest heart.
'I hope that criminals who receive the card read it and think about the words. Some of them will have children or younger brothers and sisters and should consider how they would be affected by a burglary at their home.'
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