Thieves dragged a heavy safe containing cash and valuable documents out of a Blackburn mosque.
The Masjid-e-Rizwan was counting the cost of the burglary which also saw extensive damage done to windows, doors and the exterior fencing.
The incident is believed to have taken place on Sunday evening at the mosque in Newton Street.
The safe, which mosque members said would take at least five people to move, was dragged out of the main entrance and then across the garden and lifted over a metal fence which had been prised open.
It contained cash totalling approximately £5,000 and valuable mosque documents.
Mosque president Dr Siraj Parker said: “This has caused a huge amount of damage to the mosque. The safe is located in the main prayer hall and was dragged outside.
“They have also bent a metal fence through which to lift the safe.
“The safe contained cash donations as well as important documents such as marriage certificates and records. These are irreplaceable certificates.
“The money was donated towards the new mosque extension and for the upkeep of the mosque.”
The thieves appear to have gained entry through an attic window before ransacking sections of the mosque.
Two projectors and microphones were also stolen and the mosque charity box broken into and thrown away damaged in the hall way area.
Thieves dragged the safe across the grass area and bent this part of the fence (Pictures LT)
Worshippers attending the mosque for fajr (morning) prayers discovered the theft.
Mr Parkar said: “This is the second time we have been targeted in this way. We were broken into last March but at the time the safe could not be moved as it was far too heavy.
“They have made huge mess and caused damage to the locks and doors they tried to break into.”
Last year a TV screen, monitors and computers were stolen from the mosque.
A police statement read: “We were called at 7.10am today (February 1) to reports of a burglary at a mosque on Newton Street, Blackburn, which happened some time after 9pm on January 31.
“It appears the offenders have forced their way into the building and stolen a safe.
“No arrests have been made and enquires are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 0150 of February 1.”
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