Student has 'whole life' stolen within minutes of arriving at university after suitcases snatched in broad daylight

An international student's "whole life" was stolen when her luggage was snatched on her first day in the country. Heather Williams, 20, lost all her belongings and £4,500 in cash after her three large suitcases were taken from outside a letting agent's on October 9.

Heather was collecting the keys to her accommodation as she was about to start a foundation year in computer science engineering at Leeds University.

Describing the course costing £23,500 as her "big break", Heather, from the Bahamas, was left with around £400 and the clothes on her back. Stricken by fear of not being able to afford food, Heather has been unable to replace stolen items including her glasses and contact lenses and has been wearing the same pair of clothes for six weeks.

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After the theft occurred around 3pm, Heather recalled her letting agent remarking "Welcome to Leeds" before notifying the police and driving her to her new accommodation. The incident is believed to be the work of two middle-aged white males, according to West Yorkshire Police.

Heather's family have sent as much as they could, and now the student has started a GoFundMe to help cover the loss. "I had three full suitcases, it was my whole life," Heather said.

"Every time I think about it I just want to cry, but I can’t keep crying because I have school work to do.

"They didn’t even leave me with underwear and when I went to the store later that night, I was just breaking down trying to buy stuff.

"I just felt so alone."

Heather had worked tirelessly to fund her one-year foundation course in computer science engineering at Leeds University. "I’ve been working hard all my life... and this was my