A LOWESTOFT family has been left 'devastated' after its beloved 15-week-old puppy was stolen from a van.This week the owners of Bailey - a Staffordshire cross bull terrier puppy - issued a heartfelt appeal for his safe return after thieves struck.

A LOWESTOFT family has been left 'devastated' after its beloved 15-week-old puppy was stolen from a van.

This week the owners of Bailey - a Staffordshire cross bull terrier puppy - issued a heartfelt appeal for his safe return after thieves struck.

The Soanes family are 'desperate' to find the missing pup, who was stolen at around 1.30pm last Friday, after thieves smashed a van window.

Owner Martin Soanes was only just around the corner when Bailey was stolen, along with his work bag containing some food and drink.

Mr Soanes, a plant excavator operator, had parked the white Ford Fiesta van on a dirt track just off Sandy Lane, Barham - which led to pits near Coddenham - near Ipswich, and walked around the corner to wait for a machine to be delivered but when he returned ten minutes later, the dog was gone.

A present for the whole family, the Soanes had looked after Bailey since he was six weeks old. This week, Mr Soanes told The Journal he'd only just started taking the puppy to work with him as company.

'We'd wanted to buy a dog for a lot of years and were looking forward to seeing him grow up,' he said. 'I was gutted and so upset when I got back to the van and saw Bailey had gone.

'We were waiting for our daughter to be the right age when she could help walk it and feed it and be responsible enough to train a puppy, so much so that Bailey's been to puppy classes a couple of times as we train him.

'I think it must have been some opportunist who took him as it was totally out of the blue,' he added. 'We're still devastated about the loss and are desperate to have him back.'

The family have since spoken to a nationwide group called Dog Loss, who they admitted were 'really helpful' and they have also put posters up around the area as they offer a reward.

Mr Soanes, 52, added: 'We want him back - whatever the cost. 'He's grown to be part of our family and we're really missing him.'

The dog has very distinctive markings. He is black with a white diamond pattern on the back of his head and chest, four white feet and a white tail tip.

If anyone finds the dog, they should phone Mr Soanes on 07931 156 246.

Anyone with any information about this theft should telephone Suffolk police on 01473 613500.