A rare horse trap and a Dutch carriage, worth £7,000, were stolen from a house in Sandon, into which the owner had only moved six months ago.

Between 9pm on Saturday and 9am on Sunday the burglars cut down two large conifer trees to the Mayes Lane property and forced the lock on a horse carriage shed to steal the items.

They stole a four-wheeled Kelders Dutch carriage and a rare two-wheeled Lawton trap, which dates back to the 1900s.

Ray Stannard, crime reduction officer at Maldon police station, said: "There are very, very few of the Lawton traps in the country. The owner tells me it could be one of only three in the country."

Anyone with information should call Maldon police station on 01621 852255.

Published Wednesday, February 5, 2003

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