THIEVES hurled a concrete slab through a shop window then stole about 500 packets of cigarettes worth £3,000.

They broke into Martin's newsagent in the early hours of Sunday and left glass strewn across the floor. "The slab broke into pieces when it came through the window," said manager Lindsey McPhillips.

"There was glass everywhere and the packs of cigarettes were all over the floor."

The 1ft slab triggered an alarm as it smashed through the shop window in Tatton Street. However, the thieves had time to climb through the hole and load a car with the cigarettes. A nearby CCTV camera could have captured the incident. It is thought the criminals drove away towards Tatton Park in a black estate or saloon car.

Police called Mrs McPhillips, of Northwich, at 4.15am.

Staff opened four hours late at 11am after clearing up the shards of glass.

"We'll have lost about £800 of trade that morning," she said.

Forensic experts scoured the shop to search for the suspects' fingerprints.

Meanwhile, burglars raided three homes just days after police warned a gang could be targeting the Knutsford area.

Undercover officers had been sent to Chelford after thieves broke into two houses and attempted to steal from others.

But on Tuesday last week burglars raided a home in Wheat Moss, Chelford.

A day later thieves broke into a house in Northwich Road, Knutsford.

Then, between 6am on Sunday and 7am on Monday, burglars took a child's £250 quad bike from a garage in Mereside Road, Mere.

Police said thieves also attempted to break into a house in Sadler's Close, Holmes Chapel. Witnesses should call 0845 4586380.