A FAMILY is devastated after thieves broke into their farm stealing motorbikes and other equipment worth thousands of pounds.

Linzie Henson, 46, of Mayland, was shocked to view CCTV footage of three crooks breaking into their farm in Asheldham, where they spent nearly an hour on the premises shortly before 9pm on Thursday.

The crooks broke into numerous buildings on the farm, which Linzie has run with her husband for four years, before discovering and taking two 70cc and one 50cc child’s motorbike, thought to be worth around £2,500.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

One of the bikes being ridden by Linzie's son.

Linzie said: “I, my husband and my two children don’t actually live on the farm, so it wasn’t until the next morning when our friend called us up from the farm saying we needed to get down there.

“These three guys spent nearly an hour on our farm just wondering around; they came in through the back fields and tried to get out with the bikes through the front, but when they realised they couldn’t they pointed out one of our cameras, turned around and headed back, which is when they took a leaf blower.

“They knew what they were doing, they weren’t interested in anything else on the farm. Chances are they had sellers waiting for them to steal these bikes.

“On their way out they also trashed a lot of the fences, for no real purpose, maybe just to leave a mark.”

She added: “The kids are absolutely devastated, and it’s awful as a parent to work hard to get your children nice things and then to have these imbeciles swan in, help themselves and take it from you.

“We were lucky it was just material things taken. They can be replaced, but it’s still no less of a shock.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police were called to reports of a burglary at an address in Hall Road, Asheldham which took place at some point between 6pm on April 13 and 6.30am on April 14.

“Access had been gained to tack rooms and workshop. A leaf blower, three children’s motorbikes and a hydraulic breaker were taken.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.