A furniture maker has been left “devastated” after tools worth thousands of pounds were stolen in a raid.
Jacob Valentine started The Grain Company near King's Lynn in 2020 and creates bespoke wooden tables as well as other pieces of furniture.
But he is now facing an uncertain future after £24,000 worth of tools and equipment were stolen during the burglary last Wednesday.
Much of what was stolen also held sentimental value to Mr Valentine as it was provided by his grandad who died seven weeks ago.
"To be honest it's pretty devastating,” the 23-year-old said. “I've worked extremely hard and so has my family to help me get to where I am.
"For someone to come in a take it all is unbelievable, especially to a smaller company like mine."
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Police are treating the incident as a targeted raid as officers believe the suspects were in the area before the break-in and disabled the security cameras.
Mr Valentine has been working with crafts since he was 12 years old and started the company once he finished his A-levels.
The break-in has devastated his business financially and could prevent him from fulfilling orders.
"I was approached by British Airways to produce the leg bases for some tables to go on auction at an event,” he said.
"But depending on when it is taking place will depend on if it will be possible to produce or not.
"We are looking at around two weeks before we receive essential the tools we need.
"There is another local furniture company called Penny Wood Bespoke and the owner of that went to school with my sister.
"He has lent us anything he can, with Johnson's Ironworks also lending us a few bits."
A GoFundMe set up to try and help cover some of the costs has reached £730 of its £15,000 target.
Anyone with any information regarding the raid can contact Norfolk Constabulary quoting reference number 36/7567/24.
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