Image by Newsquest

A businessman, who was visiting a mosque to break his fast, had a large amount of money stolen from his car.

The car was broken into when he was inside the mosque for the prayers at Blackburn Road in Astley Bridge.

A CCTV footage has been released where a man can be seen attempting to open several cars before being able to gain access to one. 

The businessman, who chose to stay anonymous, said that he was supposed to pay an invoice on the day which was the reason why he had kept so much cash in the car. 

He has been observing fast in the holy month of Ramadan and went to the mosque to break his fast in the evening.

Upon his return around 7.30 pm on Wednesday, March 29 near PK Foods store, he discovered that the money he had kept was no longer in the car.

His son told the reporters about the incident.

He said, “They were going through a few cars then they tried my dad’s car.

“He press the button to lock the car but the car won’t have locked.

“My dad parked up to go to the mosque to break his fast.

“He is a businessman who was going to pay an invoice.

“His is very upset about it.

“We have been in touch with the police.”

He has requested anyone with information to come forward and help them, however, Greater Manchester Police declined to comment on the incident. 

Vehicle related crimes have become very common in the north of Bolton and the police have revealed that tackling it is their number one priority. 

According to reports, neighbourhood inspector Lisa Clarke said that several arrests have been made related to thefts.

She added that the police was treating theft of motor vehicles separate from theft from motor vehicles as they mostly involve different sets of offenders.