Independent Leeds sandwich shop ransacked in burglary leaving owners 'heartbroken'

The Calls Sandwich Bar in Leeds was burgled. Photos provided by owners of the business.

Suspects smashed their way into The Calls Sandwich Bar at some point after the owners closed up at 2.30pm yesterday.

Devastated owners Christopher Barraclough-Watson and his husband Matt discovered the crime when they returned to open up the shop at 6.30am this morning.

The door had been forced open and the shop had been trashed.

The suspects smashed the door. Photos provided by owners of the business.

Christopher and Matt said: "Sadly we've come in this morning and found our shop has been broken into an ransacked.

"It happened sometime after dark yesterday and 6.30am this morning.

"It's extremely upsetting for us, we've put our heart and soul into building our little independent business and finding it like this is absolutely heartbreaking."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson confirmed that the business was burgled between 4pm on November 21 and 6.30am on November 22.

Suspects smashed a glass pane in a door and searched the premises.

Police do not believe anything was stolen.

The shop was closed today while police gathered evidence but Matt and Christopher said that they will be open "bright and early" on Monday.

Sharing a heartfelt message on their Facebook page, they said: "Hi all, the police CSI has now been and taken evidence and the shop is now safe and secure again (albeit with a bit of door damage and a cracked window).

"We're sorry we didn't get around to opening today, we couldn't do anything in the shop until evidence was taken.

"We will be back on Monday bright and early.

"Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts today.

"It meant so much to both of us."

Anyone with information or anyone who witnessed the crime is asked to contact the police on 101 quoting crime reference number 13190599452.