Thieves who stole a Polish style horse carriage are thought to have dragged it across seven acres of paddocks and through a hedge before making off with it.

Cambs Times: Stolen driving carriageStolen driving carriage (Image: Archant)

The Elm victims – who also had a quad bike stolen from a barn-, believe thieves had deliberately targeted them after spotting the carriage earlier.

James Newport believes the thieves had earlier cut in his hedge before loading the carriage and blue Polaris quad bike onto a vehicle and making off.

The theft happened between 7pm on Sunday and noon on Monday. The carriage and quad bike were both stored in an open barn at the rear of the family’s home and could not be seen from the road.

Mr Newport said the family had only owned the carriage, valued between £1,500 and £2,800, for a few weeks. It was bought for him and his teenage daughter to use together with one of the family’s ponies.

He said: “I don’t ride but I could do the driving with her. “My daughter’s old pony is too young to retire so we had him broken for carriage work during the summer and my daughter has been learning to drive it.

“I went all the way to Newcastle to get it and it was perfect for what we wanted. We think someone saw her out and about around the village with it and decided to target us.”

Mr Newport said: “It has really upset my daughter; she hates the thought of someone prowling around the back of house, especially as we were probably all in the house at the time.

“I have been trying to find a replacement on-line but it is not easy.”

“I think we have resigned ourselves to the fact we are not going to see either of them again, but if anyone did see anything or has any information about who took them they should contact police.”

The carriage has four beige-brown seats, four wheels and green and black body-work.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555111.