A used car dealer has seen his business “devastated” by the loss of seven vehicles in a late night raid just five days after a move to new premises.

Malcolm Beattie, of MB Cars, Woodside Road, Ballymena, saw six cars - including an Audi A4, Land Rover and a BMW 5 series - from the business at some time between 11pm on January 27th and 7am on January 28th.

Belfast Live reported that Beattie had been contacted by a neighbour of the business who told him that the gates were open and it appeared some vehicles might be missing.

Commenting on the theft of vehicles he estimated to be worth around £100,000, Beattie said: “It must have been planned, because it is quite significant to steal seven cars. It is a devastating blow for my business. This is my livelihood.”

Mr Beattie said that he had taken to Facebook in an appeal to members of the public to help him catch the culprits and had seen a positive response.

Police have also launched an investigation into the thefts.