HORSES were left frightened after a break-in at a stables.

Officers were called to a property in Leigh on August 31.

The break-in took place overnight between August 30 and August 31. A padlock was removed from the stable door, allowing a horse to escape into a nearby field.

A hosepipe was turned on and left running inside the stable, destroying a number of bales of hay.

An electric fence close by had also been cut, and 15 bags of feed were stolen.

The horse’s owner took to Facebook after the incident.

She said: “Thank you to the people in the houses on the front for your statements.

“Animal cruelty is lower than low.

“Trashing the horses’ home, letting horses out of their stables in the night, scaring them, stealing feed vandalising hay stores- sick!”

A nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It was a really horrible thing to do. The poor animals have done no harm to anyone, they are wonderful beasts.

“Someone should go into their homes and trash the place, see how they like it.”

Another added: “I think they have an idea about who did so hopefully they will be brought to justice.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police in Southend on 101, or they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.