CALLOUS crooks broke into the home of a retired police officer on the day of his funeral.

Norman Higgon, 90, died earlier this month following a battle with cancer.

He served with Essex Police from 1950 to 1977.

On the day of his funeral, on Friday January 18, thieves broke into his home in Malyon Court Close, Thundersley, ransacked the rooms and stole various valuables.