Basildon: Boxing Day Burglary

Children's Christmas presents have been taken in a Boxing Day burglary in Basildon.

An Essex Detective has described the break-in as "one of the worst, if not the worst, burglary I've had to deal with".

The family have been left devastated, after their house on Beeston Court was virtually wiped out.

Thieves took Christmas presents, including a large-screen TV and a children's train set.

Investigating Officer, Dc Alex Gartshore, said: "It's bad to be burgled at any time of the year, but at Christmas it's even harder to take especially when 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."