A BUSINESSMAN says he is "gutted" after thieves stole his "unusual" van from his driveway just days after he bought it. 

Mark Salisbury's Suzuki Carry, a Japanese van which is distinguished by its compact size and shape, was snatched from his home in Station Road, Wickham Bishops on Tuesday. 

Mr Sailsbury, 58, who runs Mrs Salisbury’s Tearooms with his wife, had only purchased the car a week before. 

He has always been a fan of the Suzuki Carry and decided to finally purchase one but then disaster struck. 

Mark said: “It’s so unusual, that you could drive for years and never see one.

“I only bought it last Monday, and I travelled all the way to Doncaster to get it, so it was a whole day out.

“I’d been looking for one for a while and I found it and brought it home.

“A week to the day, it got stolen.”

Unique - The Suzuki Carry is a recognisable and unusual vehicleUnique - The Suzuki Carry is a recognisable and unusual vehicle (Image: Mark Salisbury) CCTV cameras on Mark’s front drive indicate it was stolen at about 2am on Tuesday, October 29.

Unfortunately, a skip on the front drive limited the view of the theft.

Mark said: “I’m gutted, I’ve been looking for a long time to get one, hence why I travelled four-and-a-half hours each way to get it.

“I’m just really gutted and it’s a real shame everything has to be under lock and key.”

He added: “I just want it back, I know people might not get it because it’s a silly little pickup, but the insurance is £1,000 because it’s Japanese.

“So, I’ve offered a £1,000 reward.”

Reward - Mark is offering £1,000 to the person who can help find his vehicle Reward - Mark is offering £1,000 to the person who can help find his vehicle (Image: Mark Salisbury) He said his neighbours have also been looking and sharing information on a group chat for burglaries and suspicious vehicles.

A spokesman from Essex Police said: “We’d encourage anyone with information to get in touch.

“You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. 

“Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our online reporting services.

“Alternatively you can call 101.

“Please cite crime reference 42/164253/24.”

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

You can also contact Mark himself via email, at mark2451@icloud.com