‘Soul-destroying’ play centre theft
ATARLETON children’s play centre was ransacked by thieves who broke in to steal cash. Jollie’s Barn in Mere Brow was wrecked in the burglary, where cash was stolen from two of the tills.
The break-in happened between 2am and 3am on Wednesday, April 26 when the thieves prised open the lock to gain entry.
Sara Brookes owns Jollie’s Barn and said the attack was “soul-destroying“after working so hard to establish her business.
She said: “They have got in and basically ransacked the place and taken the two tills with the float in.”
The incident was caught on CCTV with later images showing the destruction left at the play centre.
Staff quickly pulled together to make sure they could open as usual on Wednesday, as Sara said that she didn’t want any children being left upset as a result of the burglary.
She set up the business with her husband, Chris, after teaching at a second- ary school in Kirkby for 15 years.
Lancashire police confirmed that they had received reports of a burglary at about 6.45am on Wednesday.
Police also confirmed that there was damage to the front door of the property and that the incident was still being investigated.
Thieves also struck at Jollie’s Barn in 2014, when two men armed with a sledgehammer stole £2,000 from the centre during a teatime raid.
The pair smashed the front door open and one of them walked in and stole the safe.
If you have any information about the breakin, call Lancashire police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.