Garage owner left ‘sick’ after £60,000 raid

Baileys Garage owner Alan Bailey whose garage was broken into in the early hours of Sunday morning and thieves took £60,000 of equipment.

The vehicles were stolen from Bailey’s Garage in Colne Road, Earby, between 4am and 5am on Sunday.

Thieves cut through a security fence, smashed their way into the building through a rear door and forced the shutter doors open to escape.

Police said three cars, a red Jeep Renegade worth £21,000, a silver Vauxhall Astra valued at £4,000 and a blue £3,000 Vauxhall Astra, have been recovered in Burnley, Colne and Brierfield respectively.

A 24-year-old man arrested in Burnley, and a 20-year-old man and 17-year-old boy arrested in Accrington, have been released without charge while investigations continue.

Owner Alan Bailey said: “It makes me feel sick. I’m 72 and I’m still working because I enjoy it.

“The move down to here from Kelbrook has worked out for the better but at my age it was hard work starting up a new business.

“When we moved here at least we had the tools to do the job. Now we have no tools and can’t do anything.

“The problem we have is the insurers are not going to pay out for a period for new equipment but we need it now.

“This equipment is not just £10 or £20 a time, it costs hundreds or thousands of pounds.

“That is going to be have to paid for by the business.”

The three vehicles that have not yet been recovered are a £17,000 black Vauxhall Mokka registered A13 BGK, a £4,000 black Ford Focus registered MW07 PNF and a £3,000 silver Vauxhall Corsa registered KF07 DFO.

Also stolen was £7,000 worth of mechanic and diagnostic tools, a registration plate press valued at £1,000 and two £350 laptops.

Police believe the vehicles may have been stolen in two trips and equipment loaded into the back of them.

Sgt Tim Hitchen said: “If anybody has seen these cars I would ask them to call the police immediately on 101 to let us know of the location.”

Writing on Facebook, Matthew Bailey, son of garage owner Alan said: “My dad built this garage from scratch and is devastated that these thieving scum can ruin his hard work in a matter of a night.”