THIEVES used a paving slab to smash through the window of a family-run burger bar before stealing £7,000 of cash and equipment.

Raiders got into Kenank’s Bar and Grill in Burnley between 11.40pm on Monday and 8am on Tuesday, the second time the business has been targeted in recent months.

Lancashire Telegraph:

David Hankinson, 34, owner of the Barracks Road restaurant, said the slab was smashed through the glass front door and then the thieves set about destroying CCTV equipment costing more than £600.

The incident comes only months after thousands of pounds of decking was taken from outside the restaurant.

He said: “I got a phone call from our prep chef who arrives at eight in the morning. He rang me straight away when he saw the state of the door.

“They put a paving slab through the door and damaged all my CCTV equipment so there isn’t a way of knowing who did it.

“It’s the call you never want to get. Yes we have insurance but it’s the time and effort we have to go through now to fix everything.

“Keys to the locks have gone missing so I have to replace all of them which is very expensive.

“The thieves don’t seem to realise that this can have a big impact on a lot of lives and they don’t seem to care that it is real people they are affecting.”

The 100-cover business, which specialises in burgers, wraps, grills and pizzas, opened in October 2014 after Mr Hankinson was inspired to open a business similar to those in Manchester.

The businessman, who runs the restaurant with his partner, Sionny (corr) Williams, 33, thanked people for their support.

He said: “We got the business open again as quick as we could to make sure we didn’t lose any more money and customers.

“I’ve had great support on social media and even people walking down the street have given me kind words.

“I wanted to make an independent restaurant that was a bit different to others round here after seeing some great places in Manchester.”

A police spokeswoman said: “The police were called between the hours of 11.40pm on Monday and 8am on Tuesday to a building in Barracks Road.

“£7,000 worth of electrical items and cash were taken after entry had been gained through the front door.

“There have currently been no arrests and inquiries are still on-going.

“If anyone has any information regarding this incident, they should call 101 quoting log number 0192 of January 19.”