[bbfan1991]

Three men have been jailed in Sweden after they ransacked a property of valuables, including an umbilical cord.

The thieves were spotted by a neighbour as they moved throughout the apartment in Örby Slott, south of Stockholm.

When police arrived, the men jumped from the balcony and attempted to flee, but were soon caught.

The men proceeded to empty their pockets, discovering that they also managed to steal a baby's umbilical cord along with 2,700 kronor (£251) in cash, jewellery and digital music players.

"We had saved our newborn baby's umbilical cord as a memory, kind of like how some people keep a lock of their children's hair," the child's father explained to Mitt Söderort. "It's a tradition in some countries."

The family were given their valuables back, including the cord, in good condition.

Two of the men were sentenced to nine months in prison, while the third man was given a suspended sentence for aiding and abetting.