DETECTIVES investigating the theft of £60,000 from the safe of cancer victim David Baker say it is possible the thieves knew him.

Mr Baker's widow, Susan, revealed that those responsible appeared to have expert knowledge of the security facilities at his house in Parker Avenue, Chapelfields.

The Press exclusively reported earlier this week that the cash was taken from the empty property where Mr Baker lived before his death last month.

It is believed the thieves took out a side window at the property and ripped out the safe before escaping with it using a "sack barrow".

The safe was later found in the grounds of nearby Westfield Primary School along with a computer hard drive which was also taken from the house.

Mrs Baker, who lives in Upper Poppleton, has now revealed that the thieves knew the whereabouts of three alarms and two hidden cameras which they were able to disable during the raid.

"It was obviously done by more than person," she said.

"We just don't know which way to turn now. David didn't do anything wrong to anyone - it's terrible what has happened."

Mrs Baker, who married her husband in a ceremony conducted by his bedside only three days before he died, said the money was intended to be used for a family holiday and towards the college education of their six-year-old daughter, Rhiannah, and Mrs Baker's other daughter, Charlotte Lalowski.

Mr Baker, 62, ran his successful bus and taxi firm Fairway Travel from the house before succumbing to cancer.

"Rhiannah is petrified of the dark now and won't go to bed," Mrs Baker said.

"I've been left to pick up the pieces from all this."

A spokesman for York CID, which is investigating the theft, said the public had provided some useful information.

He said detectives were not ruling out that it could have been carried out by someone who knew Mr Baker.

"We are still making inquiries at this stage and looking at all options at the moment," the spokesman said.

"We've had a good response from the public and would appeal to anyone with information to come forward."

Anyone with information should phone York police on 0845 60 60 247.