A REWARD has been offered following the theft of safe from of an estate agents.

The burglary took place at Eafield and Maple estate agents in Blackburn Road, Accrington shortly after 5am on Thursday.

Business owner Paul Brown said the burglars had broken in through the front door and removed the safe from the wall.

Mr Brown has offered a £1,000 reward for any information that leads to the conviction of the thieves.

He said: "We were burgled by two people.

"They came with the equipment to break the safe off the wall and made off with it and the cash inside.

"I'm offering a reward of £1,000 to anyone who can give us any information that leads to a conviction.

"They can't be allowed to get away with this."

Mr Brown said this was one of many break-ins in the area.

He said: "There have been a lot of break-ins in the town, I think this is the seventh.

"I don't believe they have all been done by the same person, these people came prepared but they definitely weren't professionals.

"Either way it needs to stop, they are scum.

"You work hard everyday and they come along and think it's ok to just help themselves.

"It's not about the damage or the money, it's that they have come into our premises and taken what is not theirs."

Business owners in Accrington were put on red alert following a spate of six burglaries over the last month.

However Inspector Steve Rides from Hyndburn Police said it was an 'isolated incident'.

He said: "We have had six burglaries in the town centre for which someone has been arrested.

"The individual has been charged with the burglaries as well as seven incidents of shoplifting.

"The estate agents break in was an isolated incident, for which we have got a line of enquiry which is still being developed.

"The other break inns are down to this chaotic individual who has now been caught.

"Business owners and residents alike should remain vigilant.

"Business owners can make it more difficult for difficult for people like this by installing security shutters and CCTV.

"Residents should make sure their doors are locked at all times, the majority of domestic break inns are just chancers trying doors."

Police have released CCTV footage of the break-in taking place and are appealing for anyone who recognises the men to come forward.

The Facebook post said: "We won't tolerate behaviour like this in Accrington and will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.

"If you know the two people in the CCTV, please call the Accrington Neighbourhood Team on 01254 353103 Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote the crime reference ED1800612."