A BAKER has spoken of the support he has received after thieves smashed their way into his bakery.

Golden Crust Bakery, in Golden Cross Parade, Ashingdon, was targeted by the crooks overnight last night.

Echo:

Ransacked - crooks searched the bakery's cupboards

Owner Matt Davies had a call from a delivery driver about the incident.

He said: “The driver found the front door smashed and the inside ransacked.

“We have three bakeries across the Rochford and Hullbridge area and we’ve been burgled a few times.

“We do not keep money in the shops and this is the reason for it.

“They took some change and charity pots.

“Unfortunately it is not surprising.

“I’ve suffered the damage to the shop and the inconvenience of fixing the doors.

“I think it will probably cost about £200 to fix the doors at the front of our shop.”

He said it wasn’t a very nice phone call to wake up to.

The business was able to open as usual yesterday.

He joked about no Belgium buns had been harmed in break-in and that it was a waste for the thieves.

The business owner said the most important thing is that it has wasted his time and that he’s been left to tidy up the shop and foot the bill.

Mr Davies said: “I’ve been really touched by the response on social media.

“People have send some very kind messages.”

Officers are now appealing for witnesses.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called with reports of a burglary at a bakery in Rochford between Sunday, April 7 and Monday, April 8.

“Entry had been forced into the business on Ashingdon Road and the property was searched.

“No items were reported to have been taken.”

The spokesman added: “Witnesses or anyone in the area at this time and has CCTV or dash cam footage, are asked to contact the Rochford local policing team on 101, quoting reference 42/54792/19.”