“Finding out that the presents I had spent two months buying for my three children and other family members stolen, two days before Christmas, was very stressful and upsetting”

PC Thomas Karnchanapee and PC Callum Hawkins, response officers in Islington, attended the scene and soon realised that it was unlikely the presents would be recovered in time, so they set about to ensure the family would still have a merry Christmas.

After speaking to their colleagues a collection was immediately started. The team very quickly raised £285 which was presented to the family the very next day.

On receiving the generous donation, Amy said: “It was a huge surprise. The officers told us that their whole team were so shocked and upset at what had happened to us, that they had got together and given their own money to help us replace our stolen gifts. I couldn’t even speak, all I could do was cry. My faith in humanity was restored.

“The most important thing for me, was not just the money they gave and the presents it bought. It was the fact that I could say to my children “although there are some people out there who will hurt and upset you, there are many, many more who will offer kindness, support and compassion”. That is what I choose to take from this situation.”