SHOP owners are being warned to be on their guard against a gang of cunning thieves.

The team work in pairs or more to enter the living quarters of store rooms of shops by distracting the shop keeper.

The team, believed to be from East Europe, appear to have moved from the south of the country to Scotland, targeting towns on route.

Only three weeks ago Colville News in Colville Drive, Bury, was visited by a small group of "foreigners" who managed to enter the living area of the newsagents. They were disturbed and made off empty handed.

Just days later the thieves are also believed to have tried to sneak into the rear of the Village Store in Ainsworth but they were again unsuccessful.

The ruse works with the team entered shops within moments of each other and while one keeps the shopkeeper distracted the others sneak into private rooms and steal.

PC John Flowers of Bury's Operational Police Unit said: "We have not had any reports of this gang striking for a couple of weeks. It would appear that they have moved on.

"However, our advice to shop workers is to always be on the alert against thieves and ensure that any storerooms or doorways leading to private residential areas are secure."