A CLITHEROE newsagent said he was astounded that nobody contacted the police after a battering ram was used to break into his shop.

Peter Brass is now calling for more community support because his shop in Whalley Road has become a regular target for thieves.

He said: “The ram would have made a tremendous noise and would have been carried by several people, yet nobody phoned the police until I discovered the break-in the following morning.”

A large quantity of cigarettes and snuff was stolen in the raid overnight on April 8, with the thieves entering through a large hole they had made in the back wall of the shop.

Mr Brass, who has run the shop in the prominent town centre location for more than 27 years, said his it had become a regular target for vandalism and theft.

He said: “Since I started running this place there have been dozens of attempts to break in.

"Several years ago someone even cut through the front door just to nick some cigarettes.

“They’re always smashing the windows and trying to get into the shop.”

The newsagent has called for local people to help him in combating the thefts.

He said: “I am shocked that nobody seemed to hear what was going on at the shop.

“If people see anyone trying to break in they should phone the police immediately.

“We are one of a few remaining small shops that sell cigarettes in the area and so we are seen as an easy target.

“But if these thieves knew they were being watched then I’m hoping that they would stop.”

Police said they were currently reviewing CCTV images and would be paying more attention to the area.

Sgt Jason Middleton, said: “He is a victim of crime as it is a busy shop on a busy road.

“He has been given advice for crime prevention and we will be speaking to the neighbourhood policing team about visiting the area surrounding the shop on a regular basis.”