Burglars who broke into Raheem Sterling’s home took jewellery and watches worth a reported £300,000 this weekend.
Last night, news broke that the England forward would be flying home from the World Cup after intruders raided his home.
It was initially reported that the armed thieves broke in while his family were at home.
However, police today said that they had come home to discover that valuable items, including jewellery and watches, had been stolen.
‘No threat of violence was involved as the items were discovered stolen retrospectively,’ police said today.
The Chelsea winger was absent from the Three Lions’ 3-0 victory over Senegal last night following the incident.
Sterling, 27, is said to have been shaken and concerned about the well-being of his children following the break-in.
Surrey Police said they were investigating reports of a burglary at an address in Oxshott, Leatherhead, after being contacted just before 9pm on Saturday.
The Sun reported that watches worth £300,000 had been taken in the incident, with a family source telling the newspaper the police were at the address for several hours.
In a statement, Surrey Police said inquiries were under way to establish the circumstances and the investigation is ongoing.
‘We are currently investigating a report of a burglary at an address in Oxshott, Leatherhead,’ they said.
‘Police were contacted just before 9pm on Saturday December 3 after the occupants of the property came home and discovered a number of items including jewellery and watches had been stolen.
‘Inquiries to establish the circumstances are under way and the investigation is ongoing.
Support for the England international flooded in on social media, with Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker tweeting: ‘Thoughts are with (Raheem Sterling) and his family after their awful and harrowing ordeal.’
In a press conference after the game, England manager Gareth Southgate told reporters: ‘Raheem, as the FA statement says, is having to deal with a family situation, so he’s going back to England.
‘We’ve got to give him time to try to resolve that or be there for his family. That’s the most important thing at this time, so we’re going to give him that space.
‘I spent a lot of time with Raheem this morning, but you know you have days where events happen and you have to deal with them.
‘He’s on his way home and, yeah, we’re obviously mindful of him being allowed space and (having) privacy respected, so we don’t want to talk in too much detail.’
England captain Harry Kane sent his best to Sterling at the man of the match press conference in Al Khor.
‘Our thoughts are with him and his family,’ he said.
‘It is a private matter with him, but it’s never easy to see one or your teammates and friends have to deal with something like that.
‘We will take it day by day and take the best decision for him and his family.
‘From us as a team we send him our best and hope to see him as soon as possible.’
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