'CALLOUS' thieves ransacked a dad's flat and stole a three-year-old girl's toys stored in a 'unique' handmade Postman Pat box.

Bricklayer Adam Foster said he felt crushed after burglars smashed their way through a bricked-up window of his flat in Deardengate, Haslingden.

The 37-year-old, a part-time DJ, discovered thieves had stolen around 100 items worth roughly £7,000 in total, including sound equipment, lighting from his home, above the Royal British Legion Social Club.

Among the items missing was his three-year-old daughter, Grace's precious Postman Pat toy box.

Mr Foster, who lives alone in the flat, said Grace did not know it had been stolen and she would be 'heartbroken' when she found out.

He said: "The van was bespoke and pretty much one of a kind, its monetary value is nothing compared to the emotional value.

"I had not been in my flat in a week but I had heard about several break-ins recently and went to check on it.

"I got there and saw a hole in a bricked-up window and when I got inside everything had been taken.

"My daughter's clothes have gone, as has all my DJ equipment, they've been into the fridge to take food and even taken drinking glasses.

"I just don't understand why someone would do this, they've left me with nothing."

Police said the incident took place between October 11 and October 26.

Details of the burglary came as police revealed there had been a spate of house burglaries in Rossendale.

Community leaders said they were concerned to hear burglaries in Haslingden, Helmshore and Crawshawbooth were being investigated.

Officers said thieves have been targeting properties in the daytime by smashing windows or doors with a brick.

Residents have been advised to check their home alarms and keep valuables safely locked away as police look to increase patrols in the area.

Mr Foster, who has been DJing over the North West for around 12 years, said: "I need to try to get everything back but I don't know how.

"I've been going round electronic shops and asking people to keep their eyes out for people selling DJ equipment.

"I'm living at my mum's at the moment but I need to get something in place as I see my little girl at weekends.

"I don't know how I'm going to tell her her Postman Pat van has gone, she won't understand why it's gone.

"It's not just me that's been affected by this, a child is involved too."

Rossendale Police Community Support Officer Chris Hamer said: "Stealing from adults is one thing but taking items from children is incredibly callous and low.

"Someone will have seen these items being moved and I ask anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact police."

Cllr Alyson Barnes, leader of Rossendale Council, said: “I am very concerned about the latest spate of burglaries that have taken place within our borough.

"My own son who lives in Waterfoot has seen people sneaking around.

“People need to be vigilant and keep an eye out in terms of their own homes and also keep general eye on vulnerable neighbours.

"I will be raising the issue with the chief inspector at our next meeting to discuss the issue further.”

Anyone with information is urged to call the police on 101 and quote EF1712283.