Cruel thieves smashed their way into a father's car and stole a host of gift-wrapped Christmas presents for his three young children.

Alex Blyth, 33, had just finished buying gifts for his children, Natasha, ten, Leigh, eight, and five-year-old Alice when his blue Honda Accord was broken into.

Mr Blyth arrived home in Longmead, Pitsea, but decided to wait until his children went to bed to avoid them seeing their presents.

However, when he went out to the car later he was shocked to discover a window had been smashed and everything, including the car's £500 stereo system, had been taken.

Mr Blyth, a transport manager for a Dartford-based company, said: "This is a devastating blow just before Christmas.

"I was horrified when I came out to find the window had been smashed and someone had torn out the back seats and crawled into the boot. Someone must have been watching us loading them because they knew exactly where to go.

"We can just about afford to buy the presents again but it is just heartbreaking when you think there are people out there who could bring themselves to steal Christmas presents from young children.

"I have been in the Army and I know how to look after myself. If I caught who was responsible I would probably go for them."

A police spokesman said: "Our advice is for people to take extra-special care at this time of year - especially when there are Christmas presents in cars. We would not advise anyone to challenge people trying to break into cars."

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