A FURIOUS company boss has told of his devastation after his firm was targeted by crooks for the second time in 10 months.

The raiders who struck at Gel Studios took just four minutes to break in and escape with eight iMac computers worth more than £10,000.

Police were called to the scene in Lancaster Place, South Marston Industrial Estate at 1.30am yesterday after the internal security systems alerted staff to the break in.

Managing director and owner of the business Graeme Leighfield said: “It was a heart-stopping moment when we saw our machines had been taken on the CCTV."

“Initially I just felt shock, that this had happened again.”

Three burglars used a crow bar to smash the locks on the back of each computer, securing them to the desks.

Mr Leighfield said: “I'd be genuinely intrigued to hear their response to the simple question of ‘why?’

“Is it a terrible coincidence that this has happened again? I don’t know.

“But we’ve had so much support from the local community,” said Mr Leighfield. “A flurry of emails have come through from clients and other local businesses wishing us all the best which is nice.

“I will be sleeping in the office over the next few days, due to how long it will take to replace the glazing, and for replacement locks to be delivered.”

Creative director Carly Smith, was the first to be notified remotely by the security system and arrived with Mr Leighfield at the offices.

She said: “It was devastating to see all the glass and our logo shattered on the floor before you even walk in.

“To see not only the machines taken but our possessions thrown across the office, and all the personal touches on our desks destroyed, is very upsetting.

“The hard thing is that in everything we do as a business, we try to help everyone. We have really good relationships with our clients, and so to walk into that hurts a lot.”

The six-year-old business was targeted 10 months ago when it was based in Gemini House in Hargreaves Road. That time raiders escaped with iMacs worth £15,000.

The business moved to its present location to take advantage of better locks and a high-tech security alarm system with remote access to CCTV.

“Being a family run business, everything is on the line for us with this business. It’s our sole source of income, and things like this can have lasting damaging effects,” said Mr Leighfield.

“It’s a big blow to the company,” said Mrs Smith. “Especially as the iMacs are actually worth almost nothing to those that have them, because they have been automatically wiped,” she added.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious should call 101.