A GARAGE boss has been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after burglars broke into his business.

Thieves broke in to JAP Motors, in Pelham Street, Morris Green, in the early hours of the morning, breaking locks and emptying containers storing gear boxes and alternators.

Owner Ismail Saeed, aged 53, said: “I got a phone call to say the locks had been broken.

“They took between £4,000 and £5,000 of stuff. It is going to take me a while to make that money back. I am not insured as it is too expensive.

“I have started hiding outside my business at night because I have had enough.

“I am working hard and somebody is taking it away.”

Mr Saeed, who started the business 10 years ago, has been the victim of crime before.

In 2012, arsonists set fire to a Toyota Hiace van at the back of the business.

The blaze spread to a Toyota Yaris and a Toyota Avensis, destroying all the vehicles.

Yobs previously damaged eight cars, and a further vehicle was set alight and, on another occasion, people stole tyres from his firm.

He has also caught a couple, who had brought a pillow with them, sleeping in one of his cars.

Business owners in Pelham Street got together two years ago and called for more to be done to protect their companies from yobs.

Mr Saeed said: “It is just the past few years that I have had problems.

“I am going to have to upgrade my CCTV after the burglary. I have been watching cars coming to my business at night for a few weeks on CCTV.

“I rent the property, and I don’t want to relocate because the location is ideal for me as it is near my home.

“The burglars broke the lock at the main gate to the business, and then broke a few more.

“I have had problems with kids before, but this is a different kind of problem.”

The latest crime happened overnight on January 14 to 15.

Insp Chris Evans, of Bolton South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We take all crime seriously. We want to drive down crime and I would be quite happy to visit Mr Saeed personally.

“He has been given crime prevention advice in the past, and we can arrange a further visit. We have listened to Mr Saeed’s concerns and I will be happy to speak with him again.”

He said previous crime prevention advice had involved recommending Mr Saeed where best to place CCTV.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.