'Sorry we don't have expensive taste!': Burgled couple pen tongue-in-cheek note to thieves apologising for having nothing to steal

A burgled couple have had the last laugh over thieves who broke into their home - by writing a tongue-in-cheek note apologising for 'not having much to take'.

Kate Barrett and Dan Owens' sarcastic letter became a viral hit after they poked fun at the burglars and thanked them for leaving fingerprints.

The pair's home in Northampton was broken into on Sunday evening while they were both out.

After climbing up the garden wall and smashing through the patio, the thieves escaped with some cash, a camera, an iPod and two gold watches.

Dan, 34, who runs a PR business, said they had decided to put the passive aggressive note up rather than "sit around and mope" about the crime.

The tongue-in-cheek letter apologises for not "having particularly expensive tastes" and says Dan was disappointed the thieves had ignored Kate's "awful" VHS video and cassette collection.

Since uploading to note to social networking sites Twitter and Facebook it has been shared and retweeted hundreds of times.

Dan said: "I'd gone to my parents for the weekend while Kate went to London to watch the Strictly Come Dancing live show.

"She called and I came straight over and the place had been ransacked.

"I think they were planning to go out through front door with the telly, but luckily the spare key doesn't work.

"We were able to pinpoint the time they left as we were recording the X-Factor results show - which had cut out 42 minutes in.

"So they tried to nick the TV at 8.42pm - hopefully that will narrow it down for any witnesses.

"Kate's a big hoarder and has all these awful old tapes and videos from way back when and they are welcome to those.

"We don't have much need for old Sweet Valley High VHS tapes or Take That and 911 cassettes."

Kate, 36, who works as a communications officer, added: "So many people just sit and round and mope after being burgled - I thought it would be a good idea to leave them a note in case they come back or see it on Twitter.

"It was just our way of dealing with the situation.

"When I posted it on social networking sites - I never expected the reaction I got.

"People seem to think it is brilliant and have said it's admirable how we've coped with the burglary while keeping a smile on our faces.
"They left their fingerprints all over everything so hopefully the police will find who did it soon."

Northamptonshire Police said officers are investigating the burglary and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The note reads:  "Dear Burglars,

"Thanks for popping by the other night and we're sorry we didn't have more for you to take.

"As you now know, we don't have particularly expensive tastes so there's no need to come in again, unless you would like to take my collection of VHS videos and cassettes - Dan is very disappointed you didn't take these first time round.
"If you would like them just knock on the front door and ask - no need to break another patio door as it's dreadfully hard work cleaning up all the glass.

"Thanks for all the finger prints - we really appreciated those.

"Lots of love, Kate and Dan xxx"