A CRIME wave blighting businesses in Horwich intensified as two takeaways and a social club were raided in the space of an hour this morning.

Police were called to burglaries at the Horwich Conservative Club, Main Room Indian and Bengal Cottage in the early hours of Tuesday.

The first break-in at Main Room Indian was at 2.30am, with the other two targeted at 3.09am and 3.26am.

Officers are tacking a huge spike in raids on commercial premises in Horwich, with a wider investigation now looking at more than 20 separate break-ins in the last five weeks.

Detectives are closing in on the people they think are responsible, with an 18-year-old man from Horwich arrested on suspicion of burglary at his home on Monday night in a warrant planned before the latest raids.

A 23-year-old man from Farnworth was arrested close to one of Tuesday's break-ins, also on suspicion of burglary.

But investigations continue as police try to track down several other offenders believed to be involved in the spate.

The latest burglaries follow a raid at the Co-op store in Winter Hey Lane on Sunday morning, as well as 17 carried out in July.

Officers say they believe two distinct groups of criminals are behind the raft of offences, with the spike in non-domestic burglaries in Horwich first picked up in mid-June.

The Conservative club in Church Street was targeted at 3.09am, when the offender smashed the rear fire door, causing £100 of damage.

The alarm sounded and the culprit fled without stealing anything.

The two takeaways were targeted in similar fashion, although it is not yet clear what was stolen.

Amani Abdul, owner of Bengal Cottage, said: "They smashed our window and tried to get in but failed. It looks like they've then gone to the dry cleaners next door and the clothes shop further on and tried their luck.

"It is very worrying that we have had so many in Horwich in a short space of time. I heard about the others but thought 'I've got CCTV, I'll be okay', but clearly not."

Cllr Bob Allen, from Horwich Town Council, said: "My message to the people of Horwich is do not let mindless thugs destroy your lives, show them that you are bigger than that.

"The police will sort this out. They always seem to get on top of this sort of thing."

Insp Wayne Readfern, of Bolton North neighbourhood policing team, said: "These two arrests are encouraging, but our investigations will be continuing.

"The spike we have seen in Horwich is totally against the norm and I want to take the opportunity to reassure the people of Horwich that we are doing everything we can to catch these people."