Witnesham pub broken into while owner sleeps upstairs

The Barley Mow pub in Witnesham, near Ipswich, was broken into at about 3.40am on Sunday.

The owner, Michael Masters, recalled hearing the commotion downstairs.

He said: "My dogs went absolutely mad. My very loyal German Shepherd, Rolo, made noise to wake me up. Had she not been there, they probably would have taken more."Mr Masters said Rolo paces between rooms at night checking on people in the house after the break-in (Image: Barley Mow/Michael Masters)

Mr Masters said the suspects pulled into the car park at 3.40am, breaking into his car and stealing the generator. The suspects ended up leaving the generator behind.

He said: "After breaking into my car, they went round the back and broke into the door with a shovel.

"They tried to break the till but we don't keep any cash in there overnight.

"I got a call from a campervan parked in my car park that someone had tried to break in to their van."

Damage to the pub after the burglary, the shovel used to break in is pictured 

Mr Masters co-owns the pub with Niall Austin, who was also on the premises at the time of the break in.

He added: "I just felt sick and violated when I saw what they had done.

"I've lost trade by having to be closed for a few days, but the community has been supportive.

Damage to the door after the suspects forced entry (Image: Barley Mow/Michael Masters) "About five police cars came within 10 minutes of me phoning, taking photos and getting the info from the shovel the suspects left behind."

In the six-and-a half-years Mr Austin and Mr Masters have run the pub, they said it was the first time "anything like this" has happened.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: "At 3.52am it was reported that suspects had just left the premises in Witnesham after breaking into the building.

"A screen was taken and items were broken inside."

Officers are appealing for anyone with any information to contact Suffolk police, quoting crime reference number 37/51062/24.

The police spokesman added: "As part of ongoing enquiries into a burglary in Witnesham, officers are investigating whether the incident is connected to any others.

"This includes a burglary at a business in Gosbeck Road, Crowfield."

Between 4am and 4.15am on Sunday, two suspects smashed a window in an attempt to gain entry to the building.

The suspects did not manage to enter before they left.

Anyone with any information related to that incident is asked to contact Suffolk police, quoting crime reference number 37/51089/24.