A Litherland function lounge was targeted in a burglary on a night when its electrical systems failed. Blossom Lounge on Bridge Road was broken into during the early hours of Saturday, October 3, resulting in a broken window, stolen cash and around £1,200 in damage.
The venue closed early on Friday, October 2, after the electricals tripped in one side of the building, causing some of the camera and security systems to be non-operational.
Owner left 'on edge'
Owner David Blanchard received a call at around 9am on Saturday morning informing him that the venue appeared to have been broken into. A front window was broken and two till systems, which were still carrying a cash float, were stolen.
David told the ECHO he had been left paranoid by the situation. He said: "I don't know if it's just a coincidence that something happened to the electrics last night. I might be a bit on edge thinking, the one night the cameras are down, we get broken into."
David checked the cameras on Saturday morning, and although some in the building were not in operation due to the electrical issue, others were able to collect footage of a person "breaking in through the window and climbing back out". He said: "They are covered and masked, so I can't make out who it is, but you can see them breaking in and robbing the stuff and that. So I've actually got footage of it happening."
Investigation underway
Merseyside Police said the suspect is believed to have run off along the canal. An investigation is now underway including forensic examination and obtaining CCTV and doorbell footage.
Physical damage has been contained to the window, which David expects will cost "a couple of hundred pounds" to repair. The float amount that was taken along with the tills was approximately £650 in cash. The total financial loss to the business is expected to be around £1,200.
Blossom Lounge asked its followers on Instagram to share any information, CCTV or footage that may help with the investigation privately. Future bookings, parties and functions will not go ahead as planned.
Detective Inspector Sara Lang said: "I would urge anyone who saw someone acting suspiciously in the area of Bridge Road in the early hours of Saturday morning to please contact us. I would also ask people who were in the area to check their dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage to see if they may have captured something which may be vital to the investigation."
Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC with reference 26000811761, report information via the website or call 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website. The force has a dedicated burglary team called Operation Castle, which focuses on hotspot areas and particular types of burglary, and a dedicated portal where people can send CCTV, smart doorbell or dashcam footage of suspicious activity.
