When he died 18 months ago, it served as an everyday reminder of him. 

But this week, the Ashmont widow had the irreplaceable charm bracelet stolen in yet another jolting reminder of the youth crime epidemic sweeping the city.

The 67-year-old woman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fears she could be targeted again, is the latest victim demanding a crack down on young and repeat offenders. 

The woman left her home about 11am Tuesday and returned home less than an hour later to discover the back windows had been smashed open.

“I walked in and every drawer and cupboard you can think of has been pulled out and emptied,” she told the Advertiser. 

“Even in the bedroom, the drawers have been pulled out and everything emptied onto the bed.”

Among the items stolen was her beloved gold charm bracelet.

“My husband died about 18 months ago from a heart problem,” she said.

“I had this bracelet and every year for Christmas or my birthday, he would buy another charm. He knew how much I loved charms, so I had heaps of them in the end.”

The woman – who lives on her own with a dog – is still coming to terms and counting the cost of what was actually stolen. 

“It’s just shock and horror,” she said. “It’s just awful.”

She believes the crime spike of recent months is unprecedented and is demanding that those responsible are held accountable.

“They’d have to be kids to fit through the window,” she said.

“Parents and children should be made responsible. It’s getting worse here. (Kids) aren’t content to not do anything anymore. Something needs to happen.”

The brazen broad-daylight attack follows the robbery and torching of an elderly couple’s Ashmont home on Sunday morning.

Police have expressed frustrations that their efforts to apprehend and put young offenders before the court aren’t being matched by juvenile justice system. 

Other victims of crime have echoed the sentiment, claiming the courts are “too lenient” on young people.

Anyone with information on the charm bracelet or the break and enter should contact Wagga police on 6922 2599 or crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.