Detectives are appealing for information after a garage was raided by thieves in Halsall.

Police were called around 7.05am yesterday (Sunday, August 11) to reports of a burglary at the Essar Halsall Garage in Halsall Road.

Around 12.30am a number of offenders had broken into the building using sledgehammers. The thieves took a quantity of cigarettes, alcohol and cash before making off from the scene.

The garage was closed at the time of the offence, with no staff members present.

Detectives are appealing for information and are keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened.

DC Kelly Rosenthal, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: “An investigation is underway after a garage was raided in Halsall.

“The offenders caused substantial damage to the exterior of the property in order to gain entry, using sledgehammers. They then used high-powered tools to access secure parts of the building once inside and stole a quantity of cash, alcohol and cigarettes.

“The offence took time and would have generated a large amount of noise and it is likely a vehicle was used.

“While this is a rural location, the garage is on a main road and it is possible there are witnesses who saw activity but might not have realised an offence was in progress. If you saw anything unusual, or have any dashboard mounted camera footage from outside the garage, please come forward.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or email 2496@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting log 0442 of August 11.

Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be reached anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org