Police appeal for information after Boxing Day burglary in Basildon

A BASILDON family was left devastated after burglars struck on Boxing Day - making off with an array of Christmas presents. Police investigating the crime say the raiders "virtually wiped out" the entire house. The thieves struck at the property in Beeston Court at some point between 5pm and 9pm on December 26 and stole items including a large-screen television and a child's train set. Essex Police investigating officer Detective Constable Alex Gartshore said: "This is a very sad situation which has left a young family completed gutted and devastated. "In my 29 years' service, this is one of the worst, if not the worst, burglary I've had to deal with. I feel so sorry for them. "It's bad to be burgled at any time of the year, but at Christmas it's even harder to take especially your children's faces fall when they see their presents have been taken too. "To take a Hornby train set from a child is heartless. We hope people can empathise with this family when we say this whole house was literally turned upside down. To return home and find breakfast cereal packets opened and turned on the floor is heart-breaking." A forensic examination of the house was carried out and officers also carried out house-to-house enquiries in the area. DC Gartshore said: "We are appealing for witnesses to come forward. It is highly unusual to see someone walking down the street with a 55-inch television so if anyone did see someone doing so on this housing estate, then they are a key witness. "If the burglar was working on his own, then he is likely to live locally given the quantity of items stolen. If there was more than one, then there would have been a vehicle nearby. Again, anyone who recalls seeing any unusual activity with a vehicle on this estate on Boxing Day evening should call us." Anyone with information about the burglary is urged to contact detectives at Basildon police station on 101.