A FARMER has been left in shock after £50,000 machine was stolen from a farm near Burnham.

A Caterpillar CAT Teleporter was stolen from Creeksea Place Farm on Ferry Road, just outside Burnham, at some point overnight on Tuesday.

The teleporters are used for lifting and transporting heavy loads around farmyards, with some models reaching heights of more than seven metres, and can lift more than three tonnes in weight.

It is understood that the machine was stolen from the farm, with the thief taking it into Burnham and then out again later on.

David Shaw, of the farm, said: “It was big surprise, we left it as we normally do, and next morning there’s no sign.

“Talking to neighbours, friends and police and someone had spotted the vehicle being taken into Burnham during the night, and then later on it was spotted leaving the town through the bends, and it hasn’t been spotted since.

“It was definitely broken into, as the keys were locked up and we still have them.

“There’s not a great deal we can do, it’s extremely annoying. It was worth around £50,000 and has probably already been sold.

“I definitely think it’s getting worse around the area. There was a time when we were worried about small radios and equipment being nicked, now we’re faced with entire machines and vehicles being stolen.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We have been made aware of the theft of a motor vehicle from Burnham-on-Crouch.

“A Caterpillar CAT Teleporter was taken from an address on Ferry Road between 4.30pm on Tuesday July 17 and 7.30am on Wednesday July 18.

“Our enquiries are ongoing, but anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/102289/18.”