FEARS two guns stolen during a burglary in Burnley could fall into ‘the wrong hands’ have been voiced by community leaders.

The weapons and 25 rounds of ammunition, which belonged to a licensed owner, were taken during the burglary in Wren Street, police said.

Raiders smashed their way through a firearms cabinet lock to take a Beretta 12 gauge shotgun and a Weihrauch HW77 air rifle during the break-in on Wednesday.

Police have launched a hunt for the thieves but Gannow ward councillor Charlie Briggs said he was worried that the dangerous firearms could end up ‘in the wrong hands’.

He said: “I am absolutely shocked.

Lancashire Telegraph:

“Obviously to take those sort of weapons from a house is a bit naughty.

“If they fall into the wrong hands, or even the hands of children, then the consequences could be lethal.”

Detectives said a leather belt with 25 rounds of shotgun ammunition was also taken, along with £200 in cash and a pair of white gold sapphire earrings.

Cllr Briggs said he was ‘extremely concerned’ by the burglary at a time when residents were working hard to improve Gannow’s image.

He said: “You just don’t think that people in Gannow, or anyone else in Burnley, has a gun in their house.

“It has taken us a long time to get Gannow into order.

“I have been a councillor for eight years and it has been a hard slog tackling the anti-social behaviour.

“There are a lot of events organised with the Big Lottery Fund to bring the area into better being but things like this absolutely shock me and do the area no favours.”

Lancashire police said the burglary happened between 6.45pm to 7.30pm, when intruders entered the house by forcing open the back door.

The Beratta shotgun is described as having a black double barrel and brown woodwork and the Weihrauch air rifle is fitted with a telescopic viewer.

The ammunition was on a leather belt with the words ‘best wishes’ written in marker pen.

Det Sgt Tom Edmondson, said: “We don’t believe that the property was purposely targeted for these weapons.

“I would like to reassure people that we are doing everything we can to locate those responsible and the items that are outstanding.

“I urge anyone with information to come forward and would say that if you are offered shotguns for sale that match the description of the ones that were stolen, please contact the police.”

Cllr Briggs said: “I am saddened that this of behaviour is going on in Gannow.

“I will be speaking to the police about what we can do to improve people’s safety around here.”

Gordon Birtwistle, Burnley MP, said he was worried that there were guns on the streets of Burnley.

He said: “It’s greatly concerning that these two guns are now in the hands of people who are not licensed to have them. We simply don’t know who they are.

“With what is going on in the world at the moment. it has be be a concern and a priority for police. I hope they can recover them.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log reference 1137 of January 14.