A LYDNEY homeowner, who had planned to spend Christmas in the Forest of Dean, says he had his holidays ruined by police who broke into his flat.

Ralph Chesswas had planned to spend the festive period at his other home on Overstreet with his daughter.

But he was called by his estate agent alerting him that the flat had been broken into by police who were searching for a vulnerable woman.

He said: “It turns out the police broke into the flat looking for a woman. Apparently items of clothing was dropped outside my door. They thought she might harm herself and went in.

“I have no connection or don’t even know who this person is. But my Christmas has been ruined as we were planning to stay there."

He had plans to stay in Lydney for Christmas but the lock on his property had to be changed and he was left without a key to get in.

Mr Chesswas has spoken to the police on several occasions but have not let the home owner know what happened.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson confirmed that police were called to the address and added: A neighbour said she had seen the vulnerable woman return home drunk in the early hours of the morning and she hadn’t been seen since.

"However a pair of shoes, bag and purse were then on the door mat of a property.

“Officers attended and carried out a number of checks but the force’s concern was for welfare of the woman and entry was forced to a property but the female was not located inside.

“A company then attended and secured the property."