Police investigating after Stanningley butchers shop targeted in suspected ram raid

The Butchers Shop at Belgrave Retail Park in Stanningley had its store front smashed in after being hit late on Saturday night.

West Yorkshire Police said it was investigating the incident as a ram raid, no vehicles were left at the scene.

Pictures were shared of the damage to the shop, showing shattered glass strewn across the store's floor and damage to the meat counters.

A staff member at the Card Factory, which is next door to the butchers, said the ram raid appeared to have occurred late on Saturday night.

The supervisor, who did not want to be named, said: "We just got into work this morning and saw the damage - they left it in a right state.

"Police were already here when we arrived to open the shop. The people that work there have been informed.

"It's just awful that it's happened so close to Christmas as staff will now be out of a job for at least a couple of days."

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "We were called at 06.57 we received a call from a neighbouring shop reporting what appeared to be a ram raid.

"Officers arrived and found extensive damage has been caused to the property.

"No vehicles have been identified or left at the scene, therefore we can only assume it was a ram raid but are currently unable to confirm this.

"Enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing for any witnesses to get in touch, quoting leg number 431 of 15/12."