SMALL BUSINESSES IN SEFTON URGED TO BE VIGILANT FOLLOWING BREAK-INS

MERSEYSIDE Police are urging small businesses across the borough of Sefton to be vigilant, following a series of break-ins.

Large quantities of cigarettes, as well as other stock, have been stolen from newsagents, convenience stores and mini-supermarkets.

In some cases offenders have forced open metal shutters covering shop fronts. In others they have climbed through first floor windows left open in the warm weather.

So far the shops targeted have been:-

► Bootle, 5.7.13 - Offenders are reported to have targeted an off licence in Linacre Lane at around 3am, forcing up shutters to break in and steal cigarettes and cash left in the till.

► Netherton, 11.6.13 - Offenders are reported to have have got in through insecure upper storey window of newsagents in Park Lane at around 1am and steal tobacco and alcohol worth £5,000

► Melling, 16.6.13 - The offenders force are reported to have open metal shutters of a newsagents in Waddicar Lane and steal cigarettes from a secure cabinet

► Waterloo, 1.7.13 - The offenders are reported to have force open shutters of store in Great Georges Road at 2.40am and steal £80 cash from till and cigarettes, seen fleeing in car by owner who was alerted by alarm going off

► Maghull, 1.7.13 - On this robbery, offenders are reported to have force shutter and kick panels out of door of mini-market in Tree View Court at 1.25am, steal cigarettes and other tobacco worth £5,000 from display cabinet

► Southport, 25.6.13 - Again offenders are reported to have force open doors of a supermarket on Liverpool Road at 1.45am and steal floats from tills and attempt but fail to steal cigarettes from kiosk

The Police Deceives who are now investigating them are also looking at links between the burglaries. They are also reminding business owners to make sure they have working security alarms and CCTV systems to deter thieves.

Detective Inspector Natalie Perischine, said:- "It is important that local businesses do everything they can to protect their shops from burglars. The Police are working hard to identify the criminals in each of these cases but deterring them in the 1st place is vital. In some cases force has been used to get through metal shutters, but I would still encourage businesses to use them in conjunction with visible and fully-working security alarms and CCTV. I would also remind them of the importance of not leaving any cash on the premises overnight. It has been distressing for the victims in these crimes to lose thousands of pounds worth of stock as well as the cost of damage to their shop. We are doing everything we can to catch the offenders but people can help us by making life as difficult as possible for these thieves. These cigarettes may be offered to people for sale in suspicious circumstances; if you are offered them, please tell the Police."

Bob Gaiger from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customers, added:- "If you are offered cheap cigarettes or suspect someone local is trading in or storing illicit goods please report it. Of all our partners, the public is one of the most vital in our fight against smugglers and fraudsters. Tobacco related fraud is estimated to cost the UK economy £1.9bn a year in lost revenue. Don't let the criminals profit;  report it. Call Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111 or the HMRC's hotline on:- 0800 59 5000."