A CARE home in Burnley was broken into by thieves as staff were checking on elderly residents.

The offenders climbed into the staff room of Sun Hill Residential Care Home after forcing open a window.

They got into the centre in Manchester Road and stole two handbags between 4.30am and 4.45am on Sunday.

A senior carer said the staff were shocked when they realised what had happened.

She said: “I noticed the window wide open when I came back in and I knew someone had been in there, so I called the police.

“There must have been two of them because the window is so heavy, one to hold it open while the other one climbed in. They didn’t scare me, though.

“As long as the residents are safe, that’s what I worried about. We were all really annoyed, but we just had to get back to work caring for the residents.

“I thought they might have broken in to steal tablets.

“It wasn’t until one of the carers came in and saw that her handbag was gone that we realised.”

After their shifts had finished at 8.30am, the two victims who had their property stolen searched the grounds of the care home and the neighbouring park.

They discovered both of their handbags dumped in a bush, with their purses, money, perfume, and mobile phone chargers still inside. Only two cigarettes were missing.

The senior carer said: “When they spotted their bags in the park, they thought they must be black bin bags at first.

“They were really happy when they got their things back.”

Sgt Martyn Holt, of Burnley Police, said: “These opportunistic thieves must have watched and waited outside for the staff to leave the room before they broke in.

“Anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious should call police on 101.