Two safes containing the money were ripped from the walls and smashed open as Trade Supplies Car Sales in Wesham was "blitzed" by burglars overnight on Friday evening.

The wrecking spree, which also caused around £2,000 of damage, saw paperwork overturned and cupboards raided.

Peter Weare, who owns the Station Road garage, has been left "absolutely devastated" by the theft.

Vandals caused £1,000 of damage to a car at the site in January. Four cars were broken into at the dealership a year earlier.

He said: "They have totally blitzed the place.

"I've been in the motor trade for 50 years and this is the worst time I can remember.

"Unfortunately the CCTV was down at the time. It is getting worse and worse round here.

"We are going to have to pack up if it keeps carrying on."

The theft has been made worse by the fact Mr Weare's office is not
insured, meaning he has to meet the cost of the burglary out of his own pocket.

He added: "I'd just come back off holiday and came back for my first proper day back.

"It was absolutely devastating – it's sickening really."
Wesham Coun Simon Renwick has called for extra cash to base more officers in rural Fylde.

The area, which has a population of around 10,500 residents, is currently being policed by five community officers – instead of the usual seven.

He said: "While crime across the Fylde and especially in Wesham remains low, incidents like this still occur and we still need a targeted police presence."

Insp Derek Darwin, who is based at Kirkham, said: "There is an investigation being carried out that is being headed by CID officers.
"We run Operation Arch at the weekend, which means we have lots of police patrols.

"An experienced PC will start work in the area in August."