POLICE are hunting burglars who they believe may be behind three break-ins at Chinese takeaways in recent weeks.

The burglaries at Bao Fu on Whalley Road, Clayton, on 5 October and Sou’s in Marlborough Road, Accrington on 27 September are being linked by police – along with a break-in in Intack on 20 September.

Thousands of pounds worth of cash and jewellery were stolen in the two latest incidents.

Police have released CCTV footage of two men they wish to speak to in connection with the Marlborough Road burglary, in which cameras picked up a suspect getting out of a grey Ford Mondeo.

The door to the takeaway was forced open between 11.20am and 1.10pm on 27 September, and items of jewellery, a Playstation 2 and games, an Acer Laptop and cash, totalling around £2,300 were stolen.

Police are appealing to the two men in the footage to come forward and are keen to speak to anyone who knows them or where they are.

The first man is described as white, aged between 18 and 20, approximately 6ft tall with a slim build. He was wearing a dark hooded top.

The second man is described as white, aged in his late 30s. He was around 5ft 10ins tall with a stocky build. He had dark hair and was wearing a stripy t-shirt. Both had local accents.

Hundreds of pounds worth of distinctive Chinese jewellery was stolen from the Baro Fu Chinese Chip Shop between 10.30am and 1pm on 5 October, in which a secure uPVC door was forced open.

After ransacking the ground floor shop the offenders moved upstairs to the living quarters and stole £4,500 in cash, a gold necklace with a Chinese square dragon pendant, value £100; a gold chain with a Felix pendant; two gold bracelets worth £100 and two gold rings worth £80.

Sergeant Mark Saunders, of Accrington Police, said: "We are linking the three incidents together. In the Marlborough Road one the offenders had been throwing stones up at the window and knocking on the door prior to breaking in.

"Everybody would think they would have a legitimate reason to be there and all they were really doing is finding out if someone is there."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.