A VILLAGE pub resurrected and run by its own community was burgled after it closed on Saturday night when thieves stole up to £3,000 from a safe.
The Raven Inn in Llanarmon yn Ial was re-opened as a community pub last August and run by local volunteers after the former enterprise was put up for sale.
But now workers said the 'feel good factor' of keeping the pub open has been tarnished following the break-in at the weekend.
David Willis a member of the Raven Inn committee said they believe more than one person stacked outside picnic tables, broke an upstairs window and tried to remove a safe.
"The safe, which weighs about 250kg, was moved about 20 yards down the corridor," said Mr Willis.
Keys to the safe were then found and what is believed to be around £2,000-£3,000 was taken.
A fire extinguisher was let off, possibly to try and remove any fingerprints, but residents say police have found a blood sample on some broken glass.
Mr Willis said the crime was brazen as the pub’s location is very open.
"If it was an inside job they would have had more information like the weekend before there would have been twice as much takings with the bank holiday,” he added.
Local councillor Christine Evans said she trusted everyone who works at the pub.
Mr Willis said they are hopeful insurance can be claimed and although it was an unfortunate set-back, they still managed to open on Sunday, June 13 and workers clubbed together from their own money to get a float for the till.
"It does make you more suspicious about people coming in the pub because we have been so open and welcoming and you think it must be someone whose been in,” he added.
Another committee member said: "We are all upset more than anything, we have all worked so hard to get it going, to think someone's got the audacity to do this, it has made us all the more determined."
North Wales Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to telephone 0845 607 1001 (Welsh line) or 0845 607 1002 (English line) or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.