One of Preston’s biggest mosques was targeted by a burglar overnight.

The incident happened in the early hours of Friday, August 9, at the Noor Mosque in Noor Street, and the mosque said it was unsure how the burglar had gained access to the premises.

CCTV images from the mosque show the suspect at just after midnight inside the building.

A video shared by the mosque shows an emptied safe and damage to an interior door which appears to have been ripped open.

MORE: Tauheedul Islam mosque releases CCTV footage after burglary

Salim Bhai, from the mosque, said: “This is the first time this has happened at the mosque so it was quite a shock for everyone.

“We are not entirely sure how he has gained access.

“At the end of the night the mosque is checked by staff who go around the building to ensure everyone has left.

“He has broken into a safe and stolen more than £800 cash which is donated by worshippers.

“There was also damage to an inside door.”

Mr Bhai added: “We looked at the CCTV and also of the incident in Blackburn and it looks similar but we can’t be sure.”

A police spokesperson said: "We were called at 4.32am today to Noor Mosque, Noor Street, Preston, to a report of burglary.

"It was found that a quantity of cash had been taken from a safe.

"Anyone who witnessed the burglary or has information, please contact 101 – quoting log 0147 of 9 August 2024."

Last week, the Masjid E Tauheedul Islam said computer equipment and other items were taken during an early morning theft.

Video footage showed a man in the mosque for up to 50 minutes, after the daily morning prayers. Some mosque property was taken from the madrassa office, the mosque said.