CCTV images released after popular Lancaster chippy broken into overnight

Two burglars used a screwdriver to force open a window at the front of the shop in Prospect Street on Primrose just before 4am on Wednesday.

After searching the premises - including a till which is always left open and empty - the pair left.

Owner Nigel Hodgson said he felt lucky because the situation could have been worse.

He has released CCTV images of the pair involved in the hope people can help identify them.

He said: "You can see on the video that they walk past the Chinese [next door] and then stop and look in our windows.

"One of them then gets a screwdriver out of his shoulder bag and tries to get in one of the windows with it.

"He then goes to the door and manages to pull the window off. One of them waits outside while the other climbs in and looks around the counter and then in the kitchen cupboards and our prep area before leaving.

"We are very lucky, it could have been a lot worse. It just makes me feel sick.

"We have been here for 22 years and never had any issues before.

"We are loved and supported very strongly by the community. We are lucky that we can still open and keep people in a job, and we just want to provide a service, and then this happens.

"Life is hard enough without coming to work to find that damage has been caused and someone has broken into your property.

"We always help charities and the community where we can, and so this hurts."

Anyone who can help in identifying either of the people involved should contact the police on 101.

Meanwhile, Father's House Elim Church in Skerton, which has been serving food to 200 people a week during the Covid-19 pandemic - was also broken into and trashed overnight on Tuesday.