Sledgehammer gang snatch pub safe

THE LANDLORD of a city pub was forced to lock himself upstairs with his partner as hooded raiders wielding a sledgehammer smashed their way in below and snatched a safe.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed a break-in took place at the Myrtle Tavern, in Parkside Road, Meanwood, Leeds, shortly after midnight yesterday.

Landlord Scott Westlake said “times like this are frightening” and appealed for community support.

A police spokesman said: “The landlord and his partner had locked themselves in the living quarters upstairs on hearing the noise shortly before midnight. Four hooded males had used a sledgehammer to smash a glass panel before unbolting a side door from the car park.

“They entered the bar area and removed a safe and till containing cash before leaving the scene.”