Thieves smashed through fences, locked gates and barn doors, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and stealing a valuable race transporter trailer.

Locks were cut and a vehicle, believed to be a 4x4, was driven through a hedge and barbed wire fence on the farm in the rural village of Fawkham, near Longfield.

The owner of the trailer, Ian Elliott, was alerted to the devastating scene when he received a phone call that horses were running loose.

In their determined efforts to steal the distinctive Brian James Tilt Bed, worth about £2,500, as well as a mini excavator, wheels and tyres, the culprits also smashed down a locked five-bar gate to make their getaway along Speedgate Hill.

Mr Elliott believes those responsible knew the area and what was inside the barn, which he has rented from the farm owner for many years.

"The whole area is blighted with lampers at night and hence they get to know what buildings are about. It is so rural here you wouldn't even know the barn was there.

"Those responsible really wanted what they wanted and made a concerted effort to steal machinery and a valuable car trailer.

"After cutting locks on a neighbouring farm to gain entry to a field, the thieves then drove their 4x4 at speed smashing through a boundary hedge and barbed wire fence.

"They then drove through a muddy field full of horses and cut through another locked gate which gave them access to the locked barn where they smashed the locked doors and then bludgeoned my barn."

The trailer is fitted with an extended tyre rack and has the chassis number BJT 98-5955. It was carrying a race car which the thieves unloaded and replaced with an old Kubota mini excavator, said by 52-year-old Mr Elliott to be worthless.

They then helped themselves to a load of wheels and tyres before fleeing, leaving yet more damage in their wake.

Mr Elliott, who lives in West Kingsdown, estimated his own personal loss at £6,000.
The break-in, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, January 5, was reported to police and a forensics officer attended.

Mr Elliott said the on-going problem of lamping - hunting at night using powerful lamps and either guns, birds of prey or dogs - had also been reported to police in the past.