Burglars cut through metal shutters and smashed the glass front of a jewellery shop in an early morning heist.
Three thieves stole “a substantial amount of watches” in the high value raid at Prestige Jewellers in Southport.
The Lord Street store was hit just after 2.30am on Thursday, with the gang cutting a hole in the shutters and smashing a window display without ever fully entering the store.
They cleared watches from the display before driving away from the scene and had their faces covered and wore gloves throughout.
The same shop was also targeted by two men armed with baseball bats in a raid two years ago.
In that incident, the men stormed their way into the shop and stole jewellery before fleeing in a van which was later found burned out on nearby Booth Street.
Detective Inspector Catherine Walsh said: “I would appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything in the early hours of Thursday morning to come forward and talk to us.
"Also, the offenders left in a car so you may have dashcam footage which would help with our investigation.
“If you saw anything suspicious, please get in touch and we will make every effort to find the offenders.
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“Recent arrests, charges and court cases show that we will pursue anyone who targets businesses in Merseyside and brings fear to those who work there and visit them.”
Anyone with information should DM @MerPolCC or call 101 quoting incident reference 20000155755 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here.
