BURGLARS stole an iPad needed by a ten-year-old boy to communicate with his family.

The youngster, who suffers from autism along with general development problems, cannot speak and uses a communication aid that was installed on an iPad stolen from his house.

Thieves also stole two large televisions, an xBox360 and pair of wireless headphones in the raid on the home in Burgh Hil, Etchingham, between 7pm on Thursday April 16 and 10am on Tuesday April 21.

The boy's mother, Vicky Stuart, said: "It is especially distressing as there are over three years of home videos and personal photo symbols built up on my son's iPad which are not easily replaced, and without which his world is much more confusing. He is now more isolated than ever".

The iPad is contained in bulky black casing.

Detective Constable Darren Jones, of the East Sussex Priority Crime Team, appealed for anyone with information, or who is offered the items for sale, to come forward. 

Contact police via 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 394 of April 21.

Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.