POLICE believe an organised travelling criminal gang has targeted Tarporley’s Spar Shop four times in a month.

The gang have stolen cigarettes from the shop in the early hours of the morning on four occasions within as many weeks, the last taking place on August 1.

Police have now released CCTV images of the two burglars entering the shop through the front and taking cigarettes off the shelves behind the till.

Inspector Phil Hodgson of Cheshire Western Rural Police said: “The four burglaries would appear to be organised by a travelling criminal gang. Each time cigarettes have been stolen.

“We are not aware of them targeting any other shops in the area. We are currently working with other police forces around the country to try and catch those involved.

“When the officers have been around there, they have given security advice to the owners. There is CCTV from the shop, and officers are currently working on the incident.

“The burglars made their way through the front of the building in the night when the shop was closed.”

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward and contact them on 0845 458 0000.