Police are investigating after thieves attempted to target a music venue just weeks before it opens.
Criminals attempted to force their way into the Pop Recs venue on High Street West in Sunderland overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, October 13 and October 14.
It's not the first time the venue has been targeted - in July last year, it was reported that Pop Recs had been broken into, with thieves stealing a sentimental coffee machine and a wheelbarrow to carry it in.
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Previously thieves had taken musical instruments.
This time, the offenders were unable to get inside, but still caused damage to the door of the listed building.
A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "Shortly after 8.55am yesterday (Thursday) police received a report of a burglary at a shop on High Street West, Sunderland.
“It is believed the incident happened between 6pm on Wednesday, October 13 and 8.55am on Thursday, October 14, where someone has forced the front door in an attempt to gain entry past the metal shutters to the store.
“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone who may have witnessed anything or has any information is asked to contact police via the Tell Us Something page or contact 101 quoting reference 0180 of the 14/10/2021.”
Frankie and the Heartstrings guitarist Michael McKnight runs Pop Recs which he ran alongside the band's late drummer, Dave Harper, who died in August.
A statement posted by the venue online simply read: "Third break in, and we haven’t even opened yet.
"Really hurts to be targeted when we’re trying to help regenerate an area of the city we love."
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