A LANDOWNER wants to warn others to be vigilant after a £12,000 tractor was stolen from his home.

Terry Parradine’s Ernest Doe New Holland Bloomer 25 tractor was taken from a shelter at this home in Grange Lane, Little Dunmow, at some time between 4pm on Sunday November 20 and 8am on Tuesday November 22.

The machine, which is a very distinct blue, is worth around £12,000 and Mr Parradine is unable to claim on his insurance.

He said: “We use it for the maintenance of the horses which are a passion of my wife and daughters.

“I cut the fields with the tractor and I pull hey bails.

“I used it every weekend and usually twice during the week, it was an important piece of equipment for me and I cannot do what I need to without it.

“They have smashed a massive hole and dragged the tractor through the fence.

“You can still see the actual tracks where the tractor has gone down the playing field next door.

“At the bottom of the playing field there is a massive great lump of concrete that was put there to stop people driving quad bikes on the field.

“That had been moved, which means there must have been quite a few of them.”

Mr Parradine believes that the thieves must have carefully planned the robbery and wants to warn others in the area that they need to make sure their heavy machinery is safe.

He said “I am partly furious but also concerned because I have got four children as well as my wife who live here.

“I want to make the local farming community aware of this happening.

“Every time there has been incidents like this in the area there will be a lot around the same time.

“We have contacted just about everyone we know just in case they get offered the machine.

“There is not going to be too many around, it is a very bright blue colour and it stands out anywhere.

“I would hope that the thieves are looking over their shoulder.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.