Merseyside police are appealing for information after burglars stole cash from a bar in Southport in the early hours of today (Monday 19 March 2018).

A report was received at about 2.20am that three male offenders had forced entry through the roof of the Peaky Blinders bar, on Sunny Road and attempted to access the cash machine, causing damage to an internal wall.

The offenders took cash from the tills and stole a safe containing a quantity of cash. It is believed they then left the scene in a white Audi car.

An investigation is underway and CCTV and forensic enquires are being carried out in the local area.

Detective Inspector Robbie Moss said: "This is an independent local business and the owner is understandably devastated that it has been targeted.

"It's shameful that there are people who think it is acceptable to destroy other people's hard work and enterprise for their own gain and we are determined to bring those responsible before the courts.

"I would appeal to people who may have seen anything suspicious around Sunny Road in the early hours of Monday to get in touch with us as soon as possible. After the incident the offender would have been carrying the safe and they may also have been carrying metal bars to cause the damage inside the premises, so they would have been very noticeable to any passers-by.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw anything suspicious that could help is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 52 of 19 March or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-in...mation-online/