THERE has been a spate of burglaries at businesses across Radcliffe over the weekend, resulting in thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Between 10pm on Friday and 9pm on Sunday, a popular chip shop, a karaoke bar and a hairdressing salon were all targeted, in addition to further reports of break-ins.

The raids, which occurred mainly in Blackburn Street and Ainsworth Road, have been reported to the police as separate incidents.

Jack's Chippy in Ainsworth Road was broken into at about 10.20pm on Friday, one hour after the shop shut.

Owner Simon Veichmanis said: "There are a few shops nearby that have been broken into. It is not just us. People are wary.

"We are now literally scared of locking the shop up. It is heartbreaking. We work so hard. We give everything to Radcliffe.

"He got in through the upper floor. He smashed the tills. He has crowbarred the place, causing about £2,000 damage.

"He got away with the safe but it basically had nothing in it — only about £35."

Simon added: "I missed him by 90 seconds. We want him caught."

The internal alarm system triggered when the burglar was inside, alerting Simon, who made his way back to the shop. However, CCTV footage shows he arrived just 90 seconds after the offender had left the premises.

Security has been stepped up at Jacks since the break-in, with new alarm sensors installed but it will take the business time to recover. Jack's, so-named after Simon's son, opened about 10 years ago and is highly regarded by many in the area.

OVERdraught Karaoke Bar, in Blackburn Street, was broken into during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Owners Alistair and Alison Johnson, who were enjoying a holiday abroad at the time, said it will take them until next year to recover.

Alistair, aged 49, said: "We have had the bar 18 years and this has never happened before.

"My 22-year-old son was opening up and found the till tray on the floor.

"The loss of the money is terrible but what concerns us more is the personal impact. It has hit us really hard. It is a kick in the teeth."

About £1,200 was taken from the premises after thieves forced their way through the kitchen window.

However, Alistair pledged: "We are not going to let them win."

He praised customers who have shown their loyalty in the face of the break-in. He said: "Our regulars have all pooled together. They have shown they care."

A break-in at Vanity 373 on Sunday night has been described as "mindlessness."

Caretaker Alan Turner said: "They tried to get in at the back. They couldn't get in so they kicked the front door in.

"It is mindlessness."

Thieves escaped with a new television at about 9pm on Sunday. The incident has been reported to the police.

The Radcliffe Times and Bury Times have contacted Greater Manchester Police.