STAFF helping adults with learning difficulties said their “hearts sank” when they found out their charity farm had been targeted by burglars.

The farm, run by Able Hands Together at River Bourne Community Farm, was raided by burglars last week, but thieves left almost empty-handed, with £8, an axe and a small bag of tools stolen.

Thieves removed locks from the doors, searched staff lockers, although found no valuable belongings, and raided food and supply cupboards in the kitchen.

The charity recently set up a service in Salisbury to help adults with learning difficulties develop skills for the future.

Carl Anderson, who was one of the first members of staff to arrive on the morning of Wednesday, July 11, said: “When I’d seen what happened, my heart just sank.

“I dont know what they were looking for but they’d been through everything.

“For someone to do something like this was just mind-boggling.”

The money stolen had been raised by selling eggs, and the tools stolen were used for work on the farm.

Mr Anderson started at the farm as a volunteer in February last year, before going full time in November, and added: “I’ve never seen anything like this here before”.

Service user and volunteer Lyndon Chapman said: “I feel sad, and if we raise money for the animals what is stopping them from stealing our money and tools again?

“The money we raise is used to buy feed for our animals and now we can’t.”

James Stephenson-Jarritt, who uses the animals as part of his therapy, said: “Its appalling what some people will do, it makes me sick.”

The damage to the doors has now been repaired, through extra cost to Carl, and some of the cupboards and lockers remain broken.

Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.