MYSTERY surrounds a bizarre burglary at a funeral parlour and a lying phone caller who claimed jewellery was stolen from a body.

A bottle of washing up liquid and four biscuits were stolen from Francis Chappell & Sons in Crofton Road, Locksbottom, during a break-in on Saturday night.

Then on Monday morning a man claiming to be Anthony Driver, Francis Chappell’s London area manager, called News Shopper to report the burglary and said jewellery had been stolen from a body during the break-in.

He claimed that two bodies had been kept in the parlour overnight, and a wedding ring, eternity ring and Victorian era necklace had been taken from one of them.

However, when we went to the parlour on Monday afternoon, we discovered that no bodies had been there during the burglary, and that the real Mr Driver had not phoned us that morning.

Whoever phoned did have intimate knowledge of the break-in, however, as they correctly stated that a safe containing jewellery belonging to a dead woman had also been stolen during the burglary.

They were also aware that two headstones had been stolen, and knew the name of the woman who would be working at the parlour on Monday, despite her not being there every day.

This has baffled Francis Chappell staff, with the real Mr Driver saying: “We have no idea who did it, and it would be inappropriate to speculate, but it’s just very unfortunate.”

Bromley police believe the mysterious phone call and strange burglary may be connected.

A spokesman said: “We wish to trace and speak to the person who called the News Shopper as, despite making several unfounded and malicious claims, they appear to have significant information about the burglary.“ Anyone with helpful information should call Bromley police on 01689 891212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.