A FARMER is contemplating putting his farm up for sale after having £30,000 worth of equipment stolen.

Steven Tomlinson, of Winton Road, Lowton, says he is devastated by the latest burglary of Dolly Bridge Stud on Wednesday, which saw thieves steal a tractor, a generator and other farming equipment as well as his late dad’s high-value fishing gear which dates back to the 1930s and 40s.

It is the third time in two years the wildlife reserve farm on Winwick Lane has been burgled, and it has not been insured on each occasion.

Steven, who has bipolar disorder, said: “My dad Dennis, my sister Julie and I bought the farm for £100,000 because the area was an eyesore and we wanted to turn it into a place that would benefit the community.

“We have grown 100 trees there, which has been great for the wildlife, and we have birds like kestrels and buzzards on the land as well, which people love seeing.

“We are trying to provide a nice place for people to visit but are being victimised and it is not fair.

"We have lost a lot of money because of the burglaries, which happen in August or September every year, and it is so upsetting. It has got to the point where we are thinking about cutting our loses and selling up."

The 47-year-old says the family had a camera installed after the first burglary in 2015 and Dennis, who ran the Dennis’ Minibuses company in Leigh and Atherton for more than 40 years, set up an insurance policy for the farm following the second raid last year.

The policy expired upon Dennis' death at the age of 80 in December.

Former Fred Longworth High School pupil Steven said: "We have had such bad luck.

"Since we bought the farm there has been £30,000 worth of equipment stolen, including two tractors.

“I think we have been targeted by the same group of people and I have told the police that."

He feels 'totally let down' by Greater Manchester Police over the latest burglary.

Steven said: “When I reported the incident at around 12.30pm on Wednesday I was in a panic and I told them I am a vulnerable person with bipolar and was struggling to get my words out because I have a stutter.

“I was told a patrol car would be attending the farm but I had to phone up five more times in the afternoon to check if anyone was coming.

“For all I knew the thieves could have still been on the site at the time.

"It looks like whoever has trespassed has broken the fences with weapons like axes, so I could have been in serious danger if I was confronted by them.

“When I spoke to the police on the phone that night I was told they do not have the resources to attend the scene and was asked whether I thought it was worth taking photos for forensics rather than them coming to the farm themselves.

“I pay taxes like everyone else and I feel totally let down by not being given any protection from the police.”

Anyone with information about the burglary should call police on 101, quoting incident number 1,177 of September 13.