POLICE are appealing for information following an attempted ram-raid at a builders merchants.

The attempted burglary at Jewsons in Accrington on Sunday is being linked to an attempted ram-raid at a garage in Oswaldtwistle the previous day.

Police also believe the same suspects could have been responsible for an attempted burglary at Jewsons on Hyndburn Road on the morning of May 18.

No arrests have been made in connection with either incident and police are appealing for witnesses and CCTV or dashcam footage from the area.

Officers have not released any descriptions of suspects.

The incident on Sunday happened shortly before midnight when a car was rammed into the doors of Jewsons. Although the suspects escaped empty-handed, the car used in the attempted ram-raid was abandoned at the scene. That vehicle is now being forensically examined.

Police said that at around midnight on Saturday a car had been rammed into a garage on Harvey Street, Oswaldtwistle. The car was driven away from the scene before police arrived and officers said that it is unclear whether anything was taken at this stage.

The third incident happened at Jewsons at 6.30am on May 18 when an attempt was made to burgle the builders merchants. Police said the suspects ran away when they arrived.

County councillor Peter Britcliffe said it was unsurprising that criminals were taking advantage of the quieter streets because of the coronavirus lockdown.

Cllr Britcliffe said: "Many businesses, as we know, are empty at the moment and criminals are taking advantage. It is quite despicable to the public when these things happen but that is the nature of crime. I'm sure the police will be doing all they can to apprehend these individuals and I would encourage anyone who can help them in that task to come forward."

A police spokesman said: "We were called shortly before midnight on Sunday, May 24, to reports of an attempted burglary at a business premises on Hyndburn Road, Accrington.

"We attended and found a car had rammed the doors off the building, before the offender or offenders had made off on foot. Nothing was stolen during the incident.

"The car was recovered from the scene by officers and our enquiries are very much ongoing. No arrests have been made as yet.

"Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log number 1729 of May 24."

They continued: "We were called at around 6.30am on May 18 to the same premises, to reports of an attempted burglary. We attended and the offender or offenders fled empty-handed on police arrival.

"We were also called on May 23 shortly before midnight to a garage on Harvey Street, Oswaldtwistle, to reports a car had rammed the door of the premises. The car then made off from the scene and it is unclear at this point if anything was stolen during the incident.

"We are treating all three incidents as linked and our enquiries are ongoing. "