A SPATE of break-ins over the weekend has left shopkeepers counting the cost this morning.

Thieves targeted the stores, all in Accrington town centre, on Friday or Saturday night. And detectives said the crimes may be linked.

But today police praised shop owners for following crime prevention advice - which led to practically nothing being taken in any of the raids.

Shops on Bank Street, Church Street, Abbey Street, the Arcade Centre, Arndale Centre, Infant Street and Blackburn Road where all targeted in the raids or attempted break-ins.

Sergeant Mark Porter, of Accrington Police, said: "It would appear that on the whole they were after cash from the till.

"And on occasions there has been things taken like food stuff. So it looks like people who are fairly desperate.

"But there were quite a few where they have not managed to get away with anything."

On Friday night, thieves targeted Hairs and Faces, in Bank Street; Sanah Super Savers, in the Arcade Centre; Guy Christopher Hairdressers, in Blackburn Road; Boots, in the Arndale Centre, and Just for you, in Infant Street.

Then on Saturday, Art and Play Supplies, Bank Street; the Arcade Centre, Church Street, and the Swan Hotel, Abbey Street, were on the hitlist.

Frank Birtwhistle, owner of Art and Play Supplies, said thieves smashed a window but couldn't get any further. He said: "I don't know why they waste their time doing it. They cost you money and haven't gained anything themselves."

Last month police investigated a series of similar late-night raids on busy days of the week after three town centre stores were broken into.

Police offered crime advice to shopkeepers, and today praised businesses for taking heed of the tips.

Sgt Porter said: "We have asked before that people think about what they leave in the shop. One of the things people ought to do is leave the tills open so they can show there is no cash in them.

"It would appear they have been thinking about crime prevention a little bit more than they did previously."

A man has been arrested in connection with one of the burglaries and was being quizzed by police.