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Leigh On Sea News: Several Piglets Crushed – MULTIPLE piglets met a tragic end as their mother accidentally crushed them following a series of theft break-ins at a farm owned by The Salvation Army.
Several Piglets Crushed - MULTIPLE piglets met a tragic end as their mother accidentally crushed them following a series of theft break-ins at a farm owned by The Salvation Army.
MULTIPLE piglets met a tragic end as their mother accidentally crushed them following a series of theft break-ins at a farm owned by The Salvation Army.
The Hadleigh Farm, situated in Hadleigh Country Park, fell victim to four burglaries in December, resulting in an estimated loss of around £60,000 worth of farm equipment and chippers.
One particularly distressing incident unfolded when intruders caused significant stress to a mother pig, leading to the unfortunate crushing of her offspring.
On December 4, at 8:45 pm, a barn was unlawfully entered, and a woodchipper was stolen. Thieves also targeted another barn, making off with stolen farm equipment. Witnesses observed the suspects fleeing in the direction of Castle Lane.
Further incidents occurred on December 17, at 10:48 pm, where thieves returned and accessed a container, causing damage without stealing anything.
In another barn, thieves made off with two woodchippers valued between £30,000 and £40,000, securing their escape by locking the gate as they fled in a vehicle towards Castle Lane.
Ciaran Egan, Hadleigh Estate Director, said: “Our staff and volunteers at Hadleigh Farm were shocked and upset by the break-ins, with one incident leading to the deaths of several piglets, which were sleeping in a barn targeted by the intruders.
“The stress of the break-in led to their mother crushing some of them, a distressing situation for the animals and our team at Hadleigh.
“We have since repaired several fences, gates and doors and have had to upgrade our site security installing lighting and CCTV.”
The farm has a rare breeds centre, where they keep rare breeds of goats, sheep and pigs for visitors to interact with.
“By the time the rare breeds centre reopens in the spring, the repairs will be complete, and visitors can enjoy the experience as they always have,” Mr Egan added.
Essex Police are appealing for witnesses to any of the theft incidents, and have asked for those in the area who saw or heard anything suspicious on any of the dates to contact 101 or report online, quoting investigation 42/222969/23.
Picture: The farm’s cafe give work opportunities to adults with additional support needs. Pic Hadleigh Farm Estate
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