Leyland takeaway owner 'heartbroken' after becoming latest victim in month-long burglary spree
A takeaway owner says he’s ‘heartbroken’ after his business was among those targeted amid an ongoing burglary spree in Leyland.
At least nine businesses have been burgled in the town in recent weeks, with the break-ins occurring during the early hours of the morning.
Lancashire Police are investigating and say the burglary spree began on March 8 and continued through the month, with the latest break-in reported on Monday (March 30).
The list of businesses affected include takeaways, convenience stores, and charity shops. As well as stealing cash from tills, the intruder is also said to have taken charity boxes full of donations.
One of the latest victims was takeaway owner Uzair Khan, 20, whose Burger Inc on Chapel Brow was broken into at 2.40am on March 29.
Uzair has shared CCTV footage showing a man forcing his way into the takeaway. The window was smashed and his till and takings taken.
‘This is my whole life. I’m heartbroken...’
He said: “I’ve only owned this place for 10 months, but in that time it’s become my whole life. This isn’t just a business. To me, it’s everything I’ve worked for.
“I’ve put in long days, sleepless nights, constant stress, and made sacrifices people my age don’t really see.
“While others are out enjoying themselves, I’ve been focused on trying to build something real, something I can be proud of.
“To have someone come along in the middle of the night and smash my window, force their way in, and take my till is honestly heartbreaking.
“Not only do I now have to pay out of my own pocket to repair the damage, but I’ve also lost money that I’ve worked hard for every single day.
“It’s not just the financial hit, it’s the disrespect. It’s knowing someone can walk in and damage something you’ve poured everything into without a second thought.
“Running a small business isn’t easy. There’s no safety net, no big company backing me. It’s just me trying to make something work.
“Every pound matters, every customer matters, and setbacks like this hit harder than people realise. It feels unfair, especially when all I’ve ever tried to do is provide good food, good service, and build something positive in the community.
“But I’m not going to let this stop me. If anything, it’s just made me more determined to keep going and grow even bigger. This is just a setback, not the end.”
The burgled businesses include:
- Smashies Takeaway, Leyland Lane - early hours, March 8
- Costcutter and Chegg's, Golden Hill Lane - early hours, March 9
- St Catherine’s Hospice, Sumner Street - early hours, March 9
- Panda House Chinese, Preston Road - early hours, March 11
- Golden Star, Leyland Lane - early hours, March 16
- GRILL 5, Towngate - early hours, March 16
- Burgers Inc, Chapel Brow - early hours, March 29
- Peppers Grill, Leyland Lane - early hours, March 30.
Lancashire Police is asking anyone who lives near any of these locations to carefully check dash-cams, CCTV and doorbell cameras.
“Even small details could be vital in helping us identify those responsible and prevent further offences,” said a spokesperson for the force.
“Burglaries on small businesses can often be devastating and do irreversible damage to the livelihoods of hard-working people.
“Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps keep our community safe.”
CCTV appeal
A police investigation has been underway and officers have now shared CCTV images of a man they want to speak to.
A police spokesperson said: “Do you know the man in this image? We would like to speak to him in connection with a series of business burglaries in Leyland which happened last month.
“Since then, our officers have been carrying out numerous enquiries, but we now need to ask for your help to identify this person.
“Even small details could be vital in helping us identify those responsible and prevent further offences.
“Burglaries on small businesses can often be devastating and do irreversible damage to the livelihoods of hard-working people.
“Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps keep our community safe.
“If you can help, please contact 101, quoting the log number 0149 of the 30th March 2026 or email [email protected]”