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Thieves planned to burgle Cilla Black's home during her funeral

Valuable items like art and jewellery have been removed from the house and taken to a secure location.

A PLOT TO burgle the UK home of the late Cilla Black has been foiled by police, her son has said.

A hole in a chain-link fence was cut in a difficult-to-detect area around the garden’s perimeter, according to her former publicist.

He said it looked like thieves had been preparing to burgle the Buckinghamshire house during Black’s funeral, which is planned for next week.

“A plot to burgle the Buckinghamshire home of the late Cilla Black has been foiled today,” the publicist, Nick Fiveash, said in a statement published by Sky News.

“The police were immediately informed, 24-hour security has been increased on the property and all valuable assets including art, jewellery and her personal items have been removed and taken to a secured unit at an unknown location.”

“I cannot believe someone would stoop so low at a time like this,” the BBC reports her eldest son Robert Willis as saying.

“It’s inconceivable. Thankfully it was discovered in time.”

Cilla Black death Cilla Black's sons (from the left) Robert Willis, Jack Willis and Ben Willis arrive for the opening of her inquest at Liverpool Coroners Court. PA WIRE PA WIRE

Black, the 1960s singer who later carved out a new career as a stalwart of Friday and Saturday night TV, was found dead on 1 August at her villa near Marbella in Spain.

A Liverpool coroner confirmed today she died as a result of accidental head trauma during a fall.

Read Video: Dermot Bannon went on Blind Date, didn’t get picked but got a kiss

Read ‘A true showbiz legend’: Tributes pour in following death of Cilla Black

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