The owner of a sandwich shop in East Lancashire has shared her heartbreak after cruel thieves stole savings from the safe.

Barlic Bites in Albert Road, Barnoldswick, was broken into at around 5am on February 21 and owner Mandy Boardman believes the culprits must have been in the shop before to know where the safe was located.

Explaining the harrowing moment, she realised her shop had been destroyed, Mandy said: “I went in at around 6am that morning and the door was open.

"I noticed there was glass smashed everywhere. I couldn’t believe it, it was a huge shock.

“The till for the float was found behind the toilets by the Co-op and it had been smashed in.

“I called the police straight away and they told us to come in. They came to have a look but no fingerprints were found because they must have been wearing gloves.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Glass on the floor and the safe after it had been destroyed Glass on the floor and the safe after it had been destroyed (Image: Mandy Boardman)

Mandy has run the business for 16 years and has never felt unsafe in her own shop until now.

She said: “I don’t think they realise the impact it’s had on us. I used to be able to come in on my own at 5am if I needed to bake but I can’t do that now, there’s always two of us.”

Mandy shared the incident on her business Facebook page appealing to anyone who may have any information to help.

Addressing the thieves, she said: “To the person that did this, why? You have obviously been in the shop as a customer and heard me say I will just get change from the safe and saw me go get it.

"How else would anyone know? Normally, there isn’t that much money in the safe destroyed but I was saving it to pay my tax bill.

“People keep telling me it's not personal, just a scumbag. But when it's not just a job, it's something you have built and loved for nearly 16 years, it's really hard.

“I really hope who ever did this is found soon so no other business goes through it.

“We are absolutely devastated with what has happened, but we are strong and will get through it. Our shopkeepers’ community is amazing.”

A few days after burglars stole money from Mandy’s safe, the Co-op store on Rainhall Road, Barnoldswick, which is just round the corner from Barlic Bites, was also broken into during the early hours of the morning on Monday (February 27).

A spokesperson for the police said: "We are investigating the burglaries of business premises in Barnoldswick. The offender appears to focus on businesses as opposed to residential premises.

"We would really appreciate the support of the business community, and ask that local businesses ensure that they do not keep cash on their premises overnight. 

"We appreciate the help that the community provides especially around the use of CCTV, and will continue to work to identify and prosecute the offender.”