A DAD has spoken of the devastating affect of a burglary on his family.

A man broken into the home in Basildon and stole more than £1,000 of savings and electronic devices, including a Playstation.

His wife has been left unable to sleep in her own bed after knowing a man had ransacked her room.

The dad-of-two, who the Echo has agreed not to name, said: “There was nobody at home at the time of the incident, except our dog.

“I came home at about 3.45pm and the dog was acting a bit weird and was quite sheepish.

“The windows in the kitchen had been damaged but nothing was taken downstairs.

“When I went upstairs it was like a whirlwind had happened.

“It was just trashed. My son’s room and my room had been targeted.

“About £1,200 of cash was taken, old iPhones, my son’s Playstation, my wife’s wedding ring and my Harley Davidson wallet.

“The ring is sentimental. My first relief was that the dog was not harmed at all, she’s one of my babies.

“She is a nine-year-old Mastiff and weighs about 10.5 stone.

“[The burglar] has got to have been brave to do this with a big dog like that. I think most people would think twice.”

The man, who lives in Bonnygate, took his young daughter to a relative’s house while forensic officers searched the house.

He said his son is “gutted” about the Playstation being stolen. He added: “My wife just kept crying, she’d been saving the money for a holiday.

“I am now wondering what I will come home to when I go out.”

Officers are now appealing to witnesses for information.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating following a burglary at an address in Bonnygate, Basildon which took place between 9am and 3.45pm on March 6.

“A four figure sum of cash and a games console was taken.

“If you have any information about the incident please call us on 101 with reference number 42/35971/19.”

Information can also be given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.