Thieves who stole from pensioners’ homes after the Gibson Court fire have been branded the lowest of the low.

Elderly residents from Gibson Court, Hinchley Wood, have suffered weeks of hell since a fatal fire broke out and ripped through their building on September 30.

They were left homeless, with just the slippers on their feet and nighties on their backs, and have since suffered sleepless nights as they struggle to come to terms with losing almost everything.

Now police are investigating burglaries that took place after residents were evacuated from the building but before they could return to collect surviving treasured possessions.

Elmbridge neighbourhood sergeant Greg Turner said: “These thefts are appalling and it is particularly upsetting that the offenders have taken advantage of a difficult situation for so many residents to make personal gain.

“They have hit the community when they are at their lowest and their selfish and cowardly actions will not be tolerated by Surrey Police.”

May Moorhouse, 88, was one of the women whose flat was targeted by thieves.

She is not sure exactly what was stolen because she does not know what was lost in the fire itself, but she thought her engagement ring and a 22-carat gold bracelet had been swiped, after her drawers were found strewn on the floor.

She said: “People always used to say what a lovely ring it was. I just can’t believe anybody could be so wicked, they knew we’d lost everything and have still gone to take what we have left.

“I’m just glad they didn’t take my husband’s war medals, I couldn’t have coped with that.”

Police are investigating two burglaries at the flats, which took place between October 5 and October 26, although residents believe four flats may have been hit.

0They believe cash and jewellery were taken but are carrying out inquiries to clarify exactly what is missing.

Annette Wallman, whose mother was rescued from the fire, said: “I think it’s terribly sad that some of the residents have lost keepsakes and items of personal value to them on top of the trauma of the fire and having to cope with being homeless.

"Many people will ask how such a thing could have happened when there was supposedly a round-the-clock guard on duty there and why, if the burglars were able to get into the flats, it apparently hadn’t been possible for many of the residents to have at least valuable items retrieved for them during the past five weeks since the fire." Anyone with any information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference EL/11/8233, or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.