A heartbreaking letter from a ten-year-old girl to the burglar who raided her home is being used by police to shame would-be criminals.

The hand-written note by Amy Winteridge, which visibly moved the culprit, features in a special Christmas card being sent to burglars across the Bradford district.

In her letter – read out at a meeting between her mum and the offender as part of West Yorkshire Probation’s restorative justice process – Amy revealed how she had cried and refused to go home after the break-in.

She wrote: “I had to sleep at my auntie’s and I tried to make my mum let me stay for another night because I was scared to death.

“Now I don’t like to go past the third lamppost on my street any more because I get really scared and I run as fast as I can back to my house. I feel so, so, so sad that you did this to me.”

The letter ends with a series of questions from Amy and a drawing of herself in tears with an arrow and the words ‘me upset’.

Police hope the Christmas card bearing Amy’s letter will make known burglars think about their actions and how they affect children in the homes they target.

The card will be hand-delivered by officers from Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

Chief Superintendent Alison Rose, Bradford South Divisional Commander, said: “This card looks just like any other Christmas card until you open it – then you see the letter written by Amy.

“It’s a very emotive letter and should soften even the hardest heart.

“I hope that the criminals who receive the card read it and think about the words. Some of them will have children or younger brothers and sisters and should consider how they would be affected by a burglary at their home.”

John Bates, of West Yorkshire Probation, said: “The Christmas card is an excellent progression following the restorative justice conference where Amy’s letter was read to the offender.”

Burglaries often increase in the run-up to Christmas. More than 100,000 households in the district will be receiving a Christmas card, offering them basic crime prevention advice. The cards will also be handed directly to Christmas shoppers across Bradford.

e-mail: steve.wright@telegraphandargus.co.uk