POLICE are renewing their appeal for information after three robberies took place in just three days in the Preston area last month.

Officers are continuing to conduct enquiries into the three offences which were committed between Friday 21st September 2012 and Monday 24th September 2012 where three men wearing balaclavas, entered business premises and either stole, or attempted to steal property.

In the first robbery which took place at 9.15pm on Friday September 21, two men entered the Betfred shop on Leyland Road at Lostock Hall and demanded money, while a third man stood guard at the door. They escaped in a dark coloured salon with an undisclosed amount of cash.

On Sunday 23rd September a man who works at KFC at Preston Docks was punched in the face when three men in balaclavas gained access to the restaurant through the rear doors at 9.10pm. They escaped with one of the tills, driving away in a dark coloured Vauxhall Vectra

Three days later, at around 8.30pm on Monday 24th September three men wearing balaclavas, one of whom was carrying what appeared to be a spanner, entered the Bet Fred bookmakers on Berry Lane, Longridge and threatened a woman who worked there.

They took money from the till and also the staff member’s purse and mobile phone before leaving through the front door and driving off in a Vauxhall Vectra.

Det Insp Jo Edwards, of Preston CID, said: “At this stage the three offenders remain outstanding but we would appeal for anybody with any information about any of the three offences to contact Lancashire Constabulary on 101.

“Given the similarities in the crimes and the dates of the offences we do believe that they are linked. Our neighbourhood teams are giving reassurance to the affected premises and to other potentially vulnerable premises.”

People with information can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Lancashire Constabulary