THIEVES heaped more misery on the family of Becky Godden-Edwards after they ransacked their amusement arcade business last week.

A gang forced their way into the building and then smashed a large number of fruit machines, change machines and an ATM machine before making off with a large but undisclosed amount of cash.

As most of the cash was coins, police believe a vehicle must have been involved in the burglary, which took place at about 1.40am on Thursday, November 22 at the Pot of Gold Arcade, in Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill.

The arcade is owned by the Edwards family, who have had 18 months from hell after police found Becky’s body during the investigation into the murder of Sian O’Callaghan.

They then found out her killer, Chris Halliwell, 48, could not be prosecuted because of a police mistake.

Karen Edwards, 52, said she was angered by the break-in.

“We’ve been through so much in the last 18 to 20 months but what does not break you makes you stronger,” she said.

“At the end we can put the arcade back together. The damage was worse than the money that they took – the whole place was ransacked and they just smashed the machines.

“I think the motive was certainly burglary, we’ve had it before but never to this extent.

“It’s just the inconvenience of it all and of course we are all exhausted from what’s been going on in court.

“The alarm went off at 2am and my husband Charlie had to go down there and it’s just not what we needed. We are back up and running now but it was all hands to it to clean it up.

“If anybody knows anything then please come forward and tell the police.”

PC Adam Leakey, of Swindon CID, said: “This was a sophisticated and planned burglary which has had a devastating effect on the victim ,not only by the money stolen, but the damage caused to commit the offence.”

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the offence or to anyone that may have information on the people or vehicles involved.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact PC Leakey from Swindon CID at Gablecross Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.