By Farwa Naseer, Majid Mohamed, and Andrea Racekova.

The owner of a pub-cum- zoo hoping for a fresh start after a tough year has been left “really deflated” after a quad bike was stolen from his business.

Andy Cowell, founder of the Fenn Bell Inn conservation project on the Hoo Peninsula, took to social media to vent his frustration at the latest break-in.

“Not the the start to the New Year I was hoping for,” he said. “Not only did we take quite a battering with the wind and rain this week from storm henk kicking our butts.

“I also have to report that we have had yet another break in. Yes they have stolen my quad bike. This makes me so angry and left really deflated.”

The £8,000 all-terrain vehicle, which was previously used for safari treks, experience days and transport of heavy equipment, was stolen from the zoo in the evening of New Year’s Day.

It has resulted in daily tasks which would normally take the team five minutes to complete, now taking well over an hour.

And it’s not the first item to be reported missing from the premises with the theft of two macaw parrots in 2016.

Mr Cowell says he has not reported the incident to the police because he feels in the past not a lot has been done.

He told KentOnline rural crime is a huge issue and needs to be addressed.

“It affects my family - my wife is obviously very upset and it makes her not sleep at night,” he added.

“My mum who, also lives here and is 75 years old, is also struggling with sleep.”

“It affects the keepers and your ability to feel safe when you are at work when you’ve been broken into.”

It affects my family - my wife is obviously very upset and it makes her not sleep at night

Matthew Scott, Kent Police Crime Commissioner, said that tackling rural crime in Medway is a priority.

He recognises ‘’the sense of isolation’’ in rural areas leads to specific challenges, including expensive machinery desired by organised criminals.

‘’The Chief Constable and I understand how important this issue is and we’ve increased the amount of resources available to our rural policing team,” he said.

“We’re re-doubling our efforts in terms of crime prevention, with Police Community Support Officers being added to the rural crime task force.”

Mr Scott added local businesses are being provided with crime prevention advice, such as smart watermarking – a way of marking property so that it is more easily detectable.

Mr Cowell founded The Fenn Bell Conservation Project in 2015.

It has been a key part in the rescue and housing of more than 24 species of animals, including African grey owls, meerkats and ruffed lemurs.

Some of the animals that his team looks after have been rescued from private breeders across the country.

The project has faced a series of setbacks including heavy flooding previously.

Following the latest blow, Mr Cowell said: “2023 was horrible. It’s quite documented that we’ve had a lot of illness in the family with my wife and we’ve been through tough time in Covid.”

“I’ll be quite honest with you, I was hoping that 2024 will be a new start and a fresh beginning – it’s c***.”

“We have lots of people ringing us up, asking if we need support and help – yes, we do, but we don’t want money for nothing.”

“Come and see us, spend a five on the gate fee and buy a cup of tea - that’s what we need, we need support, we don’t want anything for free.”