Community rallies round after farm shop burglary

The owners of a farm shop which was facing closure after a burglary say they are overwhelmed after an online appeal raised nearly £8,000 in a few days.

South Brockwells Farm Shop near Uckfield, East Sussex, lost all its Christmas stock and butchering equipment in the robbery on Friday.

Owner Chrissy Wells described the "terrifying" moment she and her husband Aaron caught the gang in the act.

She said she believed the gang had struck at three other rural locations within a 30-mile radius on the same night.

"We were awoken by our dogs," she told BBC Radio Sussex, "Aaron looked out the bedroom window to see four hooded men attempting to break into a building very near the house.

"He shouted and they disappeared thank goodness, but you feel very vulnerable in your home with people that close breaking in.

"They'd been through the butchery and emptied our Christmas stock and all his butchery equipment as well," she said.

"It's terrifying to think people are out there helping themselves to everything you've worked so hard for. You don't sleep at night and you worry they are going to come back."

The shop was facing closure because of the losses but now the owners say they hope to be open again by Christmas thanks to the fundraiser.

Wells said: "This fundraising page has been overwhelming and people's generosity is phenomenal, we're hugely grateful.

"It will all be put to good use to get the shop open again."

Sussex Police said it was investigating a burglary which happened at a farm shop in Little Horsted in the early hours of Saturday and was aware of potentially linked incidents at farms and farm shops in Hadlow Down, Mark Cross, Glynde and Mayfield on the same evening.

Det Insp Rob Tillyer said: "We can assure the public that we are making enquiries with the aim of identifying the offenders and bringing them to justice."

Police are asking for anyone with information to contact them.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.