RAM-RAIDERS smashed through metal shutters at a commercial gardeners to steal thousands of pounds of equipment.

The thieves, who were driving a white Mercedes Sprinter van with yellow writing on the side, targeted Master Ground Services, on Hud Hey Industrial Estate, Haslingden. just before midnight on Saturday.

They stole a quad bike, a lawn mower, strimmers, chainsaws and numerous hand tools, worth a total of £6,000.

The business was one of three targeted during the weekend crime spree in Rossendale.

In a separate incident, crow bars were used to smash the door of book traders Revival Books in Hugh Business Park, Waterfoot, sometime between Friday and Sunday while the store was closed.

Five Lenovo desktop computers and three Dell Inspiron laptops worth £5,000 were stolen.

The hard drive of a CCTV system worth £800 was snatched from 1st For Tyres in Laneside Court, Fallbarn Road, Rawtenstall.

The offenders lifted a laptop computer but it was found smashed on the floor by the store’s owners on Sunday morning.

Inspector John Fryer, from Rossendale Police, said patrols were being stepped up to prevent further criminal activity in the future.

He said: “The people who have done these robberies are scumbags who are too lazy to go out and get a job.

“It’s really bad news for people’s businesses, especially in these times.

'“The ram-raid is clearly an organised group who are from out of town.

“The van was probably stolen for the robbery, then burned out and dumped.

“Rossendale, and especially Haslingden, are so well linked to the motorway that it’s an easy target.

“We’re investigating every line of enquiry.

“Anyone with any information, whether you saw a car acting sus-piciously or do so in the future, call us on 101.

"We thoroughly investigate every call."