Home   News   Article

A musician has been left devastated after thousands of pounds worth of his equipment was stolen.

Weston Hills resident Henry Birkett (22) was burgled earlier this month while he was visiting family in the Czech Republic.

Police say a chain on his front gate was cut during the incident, with the front door at the Fulney Drove property prised open.

Amongst the equipment stolen was Mr Birkett’s guitar, which he built as a 16-year-old and has been using since.

Also taken were a PA system, two microphones, a guitar amp and stand, and a set of cables.

Additionally, a number of tools, a set of alloy wheels and generators were swiped - equipment that is part of Mr Birkett’s father’s agricultural business which operates from the property.

The musician, who performs 70s rock and pop with a modern twist, believes he has lost up to £8,000 worth of kit through the ordeal.

A total of over £20,000 may have been taken in all.

Mr Birkett also restores cars through self-employment, and so has been hit in both of his professions by the theft.

“It’s just been quite a shock to be honest,” he said.

“My dad called me and woke me up saying ‘the house has been burgled, all your music stuff is gone’.”

Mr Birkett says it took police two days to show up after they were contacted about the incident, and is disappointed with the way they have handled the case.

He first took up music as a hobby aged nine, and over the past six years has turned it into a fully fledged career.

He tours the country performing, and is dismayed to have lost his guitar - which he describes as ‘unlike any other’.

“I’ve recently released an EP, and put a lot of money into advertising that,” Mr Birkett said.

“I rely on these gigs to be able to fund my own music, so it’s put a big dent in how things are going.”

On stock being stolen from the agricultural business, he added: “They took all of our drills and all of our hand tools, so we’ve had to buy some more - and times are tough as it is.

“They took all of our stock as well. We’d just recently bought some new lawnmowers, brush cutters and chainsaws to sell.”

Lincolnshire Police say the incident occurred overnight between 6pm on September 4 and 11am on September 5.

They have asked anyone with information on the burglary to contact them quoting Incident 123 of September 5.