Hadleigh Farm piglets crushed to death after break-in
Date of alert:
Monday, 5 February 2024
Crime Ref:
Force:
42/222969/23
Essex Police
Several piglets were crushed to death by their mother following a series of break-ins targeting a farm run by The Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army’s Hadleigh Farm site, in Hadleigh Country Park in Benfleet, was burgled four times in December, with the farm losing around £60,000 in farm equipment and chippers stolen by thieves.
One particularly shocking incident caused the deaths of several piglets in a barn targeted by intruders, the stress of the incident causing the mother to crush her offspring.
One incident on December 4, at 8.45pm saw a barn broken into and a woodchipper stolen. Thieves also targeted another barn and farm equipment was stolen.
Suspects were seen escaping towards Castle Lane.
On December 17, at 10.48pm, thieves returned and entered a container but did not steal anything, only causing damage.
Thieves entered another barn and stole two woodchippers valued between £30,000 and £40,000, locking the gate as they escaped in a vehicle towards Castle Lane.
