POLICE are urging factory and office owners to keep valuable computer equipment out of sight following an outbreak of smash and grab raids.

In the latest attack, burglars hurled a concrete block through the window of a house on Stubbins Vale Road, Ramsbottom, the premises of a dealer.

Despite activating the alarm they managed to steal over £4,000 worth of equipment.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Barlow, of Rossendale CID, said: "Thieves are not interested in keyboards and monitors. Their target is the main computer with the electronic chip.

"It is clear that thieves are looking through windows when offices and factories are shut, seeing computers and going in. These are violent attacks and the thieves are in and out in a minute. "The best means of prevention is screen off computers with blinds or put them in another room overnight."

DS Barlow said Salford and Bury were being "bombarded" with smash and grab raids of this type and police feared Rossendale would be targeted.

He said: "When Manchester people get the message, the raiders are going to spread their wings and come into this area in force."

Police are linking break-ins at two Haslingden factories on Wednesday.

Thieves broke into P and P Micros on Carrs industrial estate and stolen a £3,500 portable digital computer.

At J W Shoes on Hud Hey Road, burglars stole a £2,000 AJP lap top computer.

They have appealed for anyone who saw two suspicious looking men in a D registered red Ford Sierra to contact them. The men were near the shoe factory.

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