A gang of thieves disabled an alarm system and cut through locks to steal a £750,000 haul of designer clothes from a Basildon firm.

The burglars broke into Barrymores on the Herongate industrial park, in Paycocke Road, through an office ceiling.

They then disabled the alarm system before using bolt cutters to break through several locked doors to get to the clothes, which are supplied to famous companies including Harrods and Selfridges.

Around 200 boxes of Peter Rabbit and Kip and Company label clothes, made to fit youngsters from birth to five years old, were stolen.

Barrymores is the only supplier of the labels in the south of England and imports them from abroad.

Det Con Debbie Campbell, of Basildon police, today urged people to keep their eyes open for the clothes at local markets.

She said: "I doubt the clothes will stay in the south but people should look out for them.

"They had a wholesale value of £48,000 but a retail value of £750,000. These are exclusive children's clothes, supplied to major stores. Their cheapest outlet is Costco.

"The distribution manager at Barrymores says the thieves caused such a mess - around £1,000 damage - that it doesn't seem like a professional job."

The items stolen each had a distinctive leather-look label inside.

Police say the thieves would have needed a van to shift all the clothes.

They would like anyone who spotted anything suspicious over the weekend to contact them on 01268 532212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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