A WOMAN is appealing for witnesses to come forward after a family heirloom was stolen.

Frances Scott, 26, was aboard the 9.45pm train from St Leonards Warrior Square to London Victoria on Monday, August 28, when her suitcase was stolen.

The case had been carrying a box of valuable jewellery, including her grandmother’s engagement ring, which is of sentimental value as her grandfather had died three weeks previously.

Ms Scott reported the theft to the British Transport Police but was told that they would not be able to take further action as access to CCTV footage was denied by Southern Rail.

She is therefore appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The black wheeled Pierre Cardin case was sitting in the luggage rack with a bucket and spades before it was taken. The ring is described as a gold band set with a large turquoise stone surrounded by diamonds, and dates back to the Second World War.

A spokesman for Southern Railway said: "We always seek to co-operate fully with investigations but on train CCTV is extremely labour intensive to seize and a single request can take days to secure and process.

"Requests therefore have to be prioritised according to their severity.

"We still hope to be able to help officers identify the thief."

Anyone with information is urged to contact the British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.