A HAYDON Bridge family has been left distraught after burglars targeted their property twice in three weeks.

Building and agricultural tools, including items of sentimental value, were taken from an outbuilding adjoining the home of Joe Anderson, at Low Hall, overnight on Monday.

The theft follows an earlier incident, between October 19 and 20, when intruders entered the stone building but were disturbed by a neighbour. They fled the scene, abandoning the stolen items in a nearby field.

Mr Anderson’s daughter, Helen Hines, took to Facebook this week to warn other residents about the two disturbing incidents.

She told the Courant: “My dad is absolutely distraught. After the first incident we were fortunate to get the items back and dad went to extreme measures to protect the property.

“He installed extra padlocks, and nailed the doors shut with sturdy timber beams.

“But they returned - probably under cover of the noise of the high winds that night - and broke through another set of doors which dad had tried to block up.

“Some of the tools they’ve taken are of sentimental value and they mean a lot to dad.

“He can’t understand why he has been targeted in this way, and was out until 3am on Wednesday trying to repair and make safe the property.

“You don’t expect this to happen in Haydon Bridge. The family has been here for over 40 years, and dad is now thinking carefully about installing new safety measures.”

Police are linking the two break-ins at Low Hall, which are among a spate of burglaries in recent months.

Neighbourhood inspector Kevin Oates said: “This is a concern, because every burglary stands out in a low crime area such as this.

“It’s extremely rare for offenders to return to a property, but they must have known what they were after.

“This is clearly very distressing for Mr Anderson and his family and we are working to find those responsible.

“We are anxious for anyone with information about these incidents to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.