Vet's boss shocked at balaclava break-in

Manchester Street Veterinary Surgery was broken into by a burglar. PIC shows Iain Sharp (practice manager and partner).

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A VETERINARY practice manager was left feeling "sick to the stomach" after his Oldham surgery was broken into.

Iain Sharp (30) was shocked when he watched CCTV footage of a masked criminal smashing his alarm system with a crowbar.

Greater Manchester Police were called to Manchester Street Veterinary Surgery in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Practice manager and partner Mr Sharp was alerted to the incident by his alarm monitoring company and arrived at the premises just before 2am.

The Saddleworth-based resident said: "It was scary because you don't ever see this happening to yourself.

Shocking

"It was shocking to watch it back. He is wearing a balaclava which is a really freaky image to see."

Footage shows a man entering the building via a back door, walking through the main office and using a crowbar to hit an alarm control panel.

Mr Sharp noticed the wheelie bin had been moved to the side door when he arrived so parked his car and shone his headlights at the building.

He said: "The bin had been moved from the front and someone was trying to hide what they were doing.

"The metal gate had been ripped open and the main panel had been kicked through.

"It was 2am and my head started playing games with me.

"Credit to them, the police were there within seconds.

"They charged into the building and carried out a thorough search.

"He had walked passed computer systems and laboratory equipment.

"He looked like a professional which makes me think he was looking for drug medication.

"It made me feel sick.

"It left a lump in my throat."

On arriving at work the following day Mr Sharp found that his phone lines had also been cut.

He remained at the site until 3.30am while the premises was made secure.

Mr Sharp wanted to warn other veterinary surgeries and to make residents aware.