Jewelery and watches have been stolen in a reported armed attack at the home of England striker Raheem Sterling.
Surrey Police said they were investigating reports of a burglary at an address in Oxshott, Leatherhead, after being contacted shortly before 9pm on Saturday.
The force said there was no threat of violence in the incident, but Sterling was absent from England’s 3-0 World Cup win over Senegal when he traveled home from Qatar to be with his family.
On Sunday, it was reported that Sterling’s family was inside the home at the time of the assault.
The Chelsea winger is said to be shaken and concerned for the welfare of his children following the incident.
Police said the occupants of the property had returned home and discovered a number of items, including jewelery and watches, had been stolen.
The thoughts are with @sterling7 and his family after his terrible and frightening ordeal.
—Gary Lineker? (@GaryLineker) December 4, 2022
The Sun reported that £300,000 worth of watches were taken in the incident, and a family source told the newspaper that police were at the address for several hours.
In a statement, officers said the items were discovered stolen in retrospect.
The force said an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances and that the investigation is ongoing.
In their statement, Surrey Police said: “We are currently investigating a report of a burglary at an address in Oxshott, Leatherhead.
“Police were contacted shortly before 9pm on Saturday 3 December after the occupiers of the property arrived at the home and discovered a number of items, including jewelery and watches, had been stolen.
“Enquiries to establish the circumstances are ongoing and the investigation is ongoing.
“There was no threat of violence as the items were discovered stolen in retrospect.”
Support for the England international flooded social media, with Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker sending the 27-year-old a message on Twitter.
He said: “Thoughts are with (Raheem Sterling) and his family after their terrible and heartbreaking ordeal.”
In a post-match press conference, England manager Gareth Southgate told reporters: “Raheem, as the FA statement says, has a family situation to deal with, so he will return to England.
“We need to give him time to try to work this out or be there for his family. That’s the most important thing right now, so we’re going to give him that space.
“I spent a lot of time with Raheem this morning but you know there are days when events happen and you have to deal with them.
“He’s on his way home and obviously we’re aware that he’s being allowed space and his privacy is respected so we don’t want to go into too much detail.”
England captain Harry Kane sent Sterling his best at the man of the match press conference in Al Khor.
“Our thoughts are with him and his family,” he said.
“It’s a private matter with him, but it’s never easy to see one or your colleagues and friends have to deal with something like that.
“We will take it day by day and make 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.”
