RAIDERS escaped with a safe containing £15,000 from a family-run bed manufacturers - and sparked a scare by smashing a bottle of mercury.
Police were called to Purr-o-Lux, Albion Mill, Bury, on Friday morning after staff discovered the break-in.
Firefighters were also called when it was realised a bottle of mercury, which had been stored inside the company safe for more than 10 years, had leaked when the burglars threw the safe down a flight of stairs.
Assistant divisional officer Brian Paulinksi, whose Heywood firefighters attended the scene, said that although prolonged exposure to mercury was harmful, only a small quantity was released.
A police spokesman said the burglars forced their way through the front door with a crowbar.
The raiders fled with the safe, containing £15,000, personal papers and the smashed bottle of mercury. They also damaged the alarm box and removed the video tape from the CCTV system.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article