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A summer trip to Bilbao took an unfortunate turn for British couple Anna Higginbottom, 27, and Peter Lesisz, 26, after their car was broken into just before they were due to return to the UK.

 

On Monday July 7, the pair had spent the night in a local hostel and left their vehicle in a car park with security cameras. But when they returned in the morning, they discovered the car had been broken into and all of their luggage stolen.

 

Among the missing items were personal belongings, clothing, jewellery and specialist work equipment belonging to Peter, valued at more than €60,000. Some of the jewellery held particular sentimental value for Anna, as it had belonged to her late mother. “What hurts me the most is the sentimental aspect. That’s what’s killing me. Those memories are gone. They’re priceless,” she said.

 

The break-in also caused practical problems, as Peter’s passport was among the stolen items. He now needs to travel to Madrid to visit the British consulate and apply for emergency documentation. In the meantime, the couple have had to rely on support from social services for temporary accommodation and food.

 

“It’s a disaster. We’re devastated,” Anna said, “We’re left with only our phones and each other.”

 

Anna explained that they have been trying to follow up any possible leads themselves after feeling that local police assistance was limited. “The police haven’t helped us. There’s a huge language barrier,” she said.

 

They tracked one of their Anna’s stolen bank cards to a nearby shop, believed to be owned by a Moroccan individual, but so far they haven’t been able to recover any of their property.

 

The couple said that some local residents had warned them to be cautious when visiting certain areas. “The locals warned us that we could be stabbed if we entered some of these places… We’ve done everything we can, but we don’t want to risk our safety,” Anna added.

 

They have now launched a GoFundMe page to help cover costs and get them home.

 

 

Image: GoFundMe page