THE OWNER of the PNE shop in Preston, targeted by thieves twice in just over a week, has appealed for "true fans" to resist the temptation to buy stolen shirts.

Thieves smashed their way into the OnSide shop on Deepdale Road for the second time on Monday bringing the value of stolen shirts up to nearly £15,000.

The North End tops which bear the name of new shirt sponsors Newreg.com were only unveiled on June 1 and are priced at £40 each.

In the two raids nearly 350 shirts have been stolen.

Police think the two raids may be linked and are studying CCTV footage.

The first break-in was in the early hours of June 6 when 120 shirts worth around £5,000 were stolen from a display in the shop. Police are looking for a gold Vauxhall Cavalier seen in the area at the time.

Then on Monday, June 10, shortly before midnight, thieves struck again, smashing a window with a concrete slab, and forcing their way into the shop's store room. This time 200 shirts were stolen worth around £6,000.

Shop owner Geoff Sheard is now appealing for PNE supporters will do the honest thing. He said: "I appeal to any true North End supporters not to buy shirts they think may have been stolen. A lot of fans have already said they will help us." He added that OnSide will now be upgrading security. He said: "We are going to employ security and look to fit security outside the shop, like shutters."

Detective Inspector Tony Bolton of Preston police added: "These shirts will be out and about and will probably be for sale. If people know where they are they should contact us."

To help call Preston police on 203203.