Ex-Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp sees £5m home targeted by hammer-wielding thieves as they steal wife Sandra's jewellery and spark police investigation

The ex-West Ham and Portsmouth manager was not in when the masked gang smashed their way into the property. It is claimed that Redknapp’s wife Sandra had jewellery snatched, while other luxury items are now missing.

A source told The Sun: "It was clearly organised. The raiders must have known the house was empty. The raiders were all masked up. They used lump hammers and a sledgehammer to smash the front door open.

"They were caught on CCTV ­cameras breaking in and trying to ransack the property looking for valuables. It was clearly organised and they must have known the house was empty at the time."

It is claimed that thieves may have used a listing on the Rightmove property website to learn the footprint of the house, allowing them to head straight for certain rooms. The Sun’s source added: "The criminals would only have to keep watch on the property and break in once the coast was clear, knowing the full layout of the house in advance."

The property in question sits close to the exclusive Sandbanks resort in Dorset, where land is among the most expensive in the world per square foot. The Redknapps are building another waterside mansion in that area.

Redknapp is said to have been at a function when the break in took place, while Sandra was away in London. A spokesman said: "Harry doesn’t want to make a fuss. There was no one in the house at the time and we don’t want to comment on what was taken. It’s a matter for the police."

Dorset Police said in a statement: "We received a report of a burglary at an address in Poole. Officers attended and carried out enquiries at the property. An investigation is underway into the incident. No arrests have been made at this time."