A JEWELLER has told how a concrete block came hurtling through his shop window after a ‘desperate’ smash and grab raider struck in Blackburn town centre.

Eric Carter, manager of Baileys jewellers, in Northgate, was the third victim in 45 minutes on Monday afternoon as a scooter-riding burglar caused havoc.

Mr Carter said: “I just turned to see a lump of concrete come through the window, I thought the building was collapsing. He got away with four gold chains and quite a few rings worth a few thousand pounds.

“We’ve been told he had been hanging round the shop for a few minutes beforehand.” The man struck at 2.30pm.

He had already smashed his way into the window display at Cash Converters, Darwen Street, at 1.45pm and failed in a second attempt at Ablemarle & Bond pawn shop at 2.20pm.

One line of inquiry police are investigating is a report of a man trying to sell gold in The Ivy pub on Monday afternoon. They are looking at CCTV from the premises.

Detective Sergeant Adrian McHugh, of Blackburn CID, said the raider may have lined up more potential targets.

He said: “We were responding to the first incident when he carried out the second and third. After the third a description was circulated, but he was zipping up and down alleyways in the town centre.

“If there are other sightings of a man fitting his description riding a black scooter in the area and acting suspiciously, riding on pavements, people should come forward.”

Det Sgt McHugh said police were ‘confident’ he was acting alone.

“It was unusual, almost panicky activity. It is rare for three incidents in such close proximity. It would appear to be the actions of a desperate man clearly set on getting some financial reward very quickly.”

Police have not yet recovered the scooter or any of the stolen jewellery.

A 22-year-old man from the Darwen area was arrested in Blackburn town centre late on Monday evening on suspicion of two burglaries and one attempted burglary.