A FARMING family has been left shaken after burglars ransacked their home during daylight hours.

Between 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Thursday, May 2, Anthony and Lynda White’s home at Low Staples Farm, in Whitley Chapel, was targeted by thieves who made off with a number of power tools, worth an estimated £280, and £20 in cash.

A TV set was taken but dumped in the farmyard as it is believed the intruders were scared off.

It is believed the thieves threw a stone through a window to check to see if anybody was in the property. Once nobody came to assess the damage, they kicked in a door panel and gained access.

Mr White said: “Thieves have targeted the farm five times in two years, and it is most annoying.

“But this is the first time they have been into the house, and it has shaken us.

“It’s annoying that most of us work hard and these thieves just take what they want, the rotten lot.

“They have been through the house and totally ransacked our bedroom, and it’s not very nice having strangers rummaging through your belongings.”

In previous incidents at the farmhouse, thieves have stolen quad bikes, barbed wire and lead from the house.

To try to ensure the house burglary is the last incident of the kind, the Whites are to install CCTV cameras which will help deter criminals targeting the farm.

Mr White believed their property was not the only one in the area targeted on the day.

A neighbour informed him that, just after 4pm, there were two men acting suspiciously further up the road.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police confirmed the force had received a report of the burglary at around 5pm on May 2.

He said: “Officers attended and found a number of items – including a TV and a drill – had reportedly been taken from inside the property. An investigation is ongoing to trace those responsible.”

Police are asking for anyone with information about the incident to contact 101, quoting the reference number 797 of 02/05/19. Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on (0800) 555 111.