Two men wearing balaclavas carried out a late-night raid on a farm shop in Haughley, Suffolk, on Sunday, causing significant damage while attempting to steal a safe that contained no cash. The thieves wielded a pickaxe to dislodge the safe from the wall and used a vehicle and towrope to pull it free, an action that destroyed the wooden structure housing the shop and damaged goods inside.

The alarm system was triggered during the attempted theft, but the intruders had fled within three minutes by the time the owners arrived at the scene. The shop's proprietors, Olivia Colton and her partner, had ceased accepting cash payments about two months prior to the incident, posting a notice on the safe indicating the change since August. Despite this, the thieves aimed primarily to seize the safe, ultimately taking only stock valued at approximately £500.

Colton explained that the safe held around £30 at most, underscoring the futility of the theft. She reflected that in hindsight, removing or leaving the safe open might have prevented the destruction but acknowledged such precautions were not anticipated. The damage to the property and inventory is estimated at £2,500, which has forced the couple to close the shop temporarily and reconsider its future viability.

The farm shop, established about four years ago, provided an additional revenue stream by selling eggs, honey, wax candles, and other goods. Colton emphasized the shop’s role in supporting the everyday operations of their farm, including expenses such as animal feed. She noted the financial strain caused by both the destruction and the loss of the shop as a sales outlet.

With the shop currently shuttered, the owners have redirected their produce to several local outlets while managing the increased workload. Colton described the situation as frustrating and a setback, given that both she and her partner maintain separate jobs alongside farming. The couple is now weighing the practicality of reopening the business amid these challenges.