Burnley bar Sanctuary broken into three times in four weeks

Live music venue, Sanctuary, has been broken into three times since March 11. The culprit(s) caused hundreds of pounds of damage and stole £1,200 in cash.

Lancashire Police say they are investigating.

Sanctuary in Burnley has been damaged after several break-ins (Image: Jonathan Bruce)

Ursa Major Media, a broadcasting and media production company, has organised a fundraiser to help with repairs and has also organised a fundraising night on behalf of the bar.

Owner, Jonathan Bruce, said windows have been smashed, the bandit has been damaged beyond repair, and the pool table has been smashed.Smashed bandit at Sanctuary in Burnley (Image: Jonathan Bruce)He said: “It’s been crazy and it’s just the last thing we need with the cost of everything at the minute.

“The bandit is in bits and can’t be reused. The device that collects money on the pool table has been taken.”

Jonathan said he was shocked to have been targeted three times, with the most recent break-in taking place on Sunday, April 6.

Sanctuary in Burnley has been damaged after several break-ins (Image: Jonathan Bruce)

He said: “I was shocked. The main purpose of the pub is to put on grassroots music for local bands.

“We try our best to help out the community.”

Ursa Major Media has organised a fundraising event which is set to take place from 7pm tonight (April 13).

Rock for Restoration: A Fundraising Extravaganza will take place at Sanctuary and visitors have been told to expect live music, a raffle, and beyond.

Tickets are £2 and will go towards repairs at the bar.

Sanctuary in Burnley has been damaged after several break-ins (Image: Jonathan Bruce)

A GoFundMe has also been set up, with a target of £1,000. £340 has been raised so far.

Jonathan said the fundraiser and event have been organised by the community.

He said: “No one has ever done anything like that for me before. I don’t ask for help and normally try and do everything by myself. I am so grateful that people have done this for me.

“I want to thank the community and local businesses for their support.”

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “The burglaries have been reported to us and are being investigated.”

If you have any information about the burglaries, which took place on March 11, March 13 and April 6, call 101 quoting the following log references:

For incident on Monday, March 11: LC-20240311-0406.

For incident on March 13: LC20240313-0115.

For incident on April 6: LC-20240407-1316.