THE owner of a Cam pub, which was ransacked by thieves earlier this month, has thanked members of the community who helped get it back up and running.

The Yew Tree in Cam was targeted by burglars on September 11 in a raid which has been linked by police to a similar incident at The Prince of Wales pub in Cashes Green that week.

Thousands of pounds, including £3,500 from a safe and £350 from fruit machines which were smashed open, was taken and pool tables and a jukebox were also damaged.

A 33-year-old man from Smethwick, West Midlands, has been arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with the break-in and is on bail.

Barry Romain, general manager at The Yew Tree, said that he wanted to reassure the community that pub burglaries are very rare and thanked local residents who had helped to clean up after the theft.

“I’m really grateful for everyone who helped us get back up and running after the theft but also to the staff for keeping it open,” he said.

The Yew Tree was forced to close for a day and a half after the break-in and Mr Romain said that they were still feeling the financial impact.

“Thanks to everyone’s help we were able to re-open quickly but there are some financial losses which we can’t remedy overnight.

“Thefts at pubs are pretty rare events but unfortunately it happened to us.

“We want to reassure the community that this is their pub we’re just the captain of the ship. Without their support this would have been much more difficult for us.”

Police are still appealing for anyone who witnessed anything on the day to come forward.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “We are appealing for the local community or regular customers to the pub to come forward if they have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area.

“Regardless of how small the information might be, their insight may be vital to our enquiries and may help us to trace those responsible.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident 218 of September 12.