Queen's cousin talks of terror

Lady Elizabeth Anson, a cousin of the Queen, is typical of victims whose lives are devastated by the violation of their homes. She jumps at the slightest noise after two terrifying break-ins at her Holland Park mansion.

In the first, Lady Elizabeth, 60, was confronted by two masked raiders while she watched TV. They wrenched a moonstone engagement ring from her finger and stole other jewellery.

In November, Lady Elizabeth was woken by burglars who fled with two laptop computers worth £5,000 each after she disturbed them. Lady Elizabeth said: "It is a funny thing, coping with what happened. Sometimes you feel you are coping well and then, suddenly, a strange noise puts you into a state of complete terror. One is more vigilant about looking around."