BURGLARS stole cash and more than £2,000 worth of prescription drugs in overnight raids at three different pharmacies.

They struck at Cohens Chemist branches in The Hillock, Harwood, and Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, as well as twice at Harwood Pharmacy in Harwood Health Centre in Hough Fold Way, Harwood.

A source with knowledge of the spree said: “Harwood Pharmacy got broken into on June 16 where the thieves ripped a shutter off the wall to gain entry but on that occasion only got away with £40 out of the till.

“Four weeks later Cohens Chemist in The Hillock had a break-in and had the contents of their controlled drugs safe stolen.

“Two weeks later Harwood Pharmacy got broke into again through the same shutter as first time where they gained entry to the safe and took controlled drugs from a safe as well as over £1,300 in cash.

“On Monday, August 8 at 2.30am it seems the same gang broke in to Cohens Chemist in Darwen Road where controlled drugs where also taken from a safe.

“It seems they are targeting pharmacies in the Bolton area.”

Greater Manchester Police confirmed Cohens Chemist in The Hillock was burgled at 12.10am on July 7 when the offenders damaged a door and stole £200 worth of medication.

Harwood Pharmacy was targeted at just after 4am on August 1 in which a door and a drugs cabinet were damaged and prescription drugs worth £1,542 were taken along with £1,348 cash.

The trespassers were driven to and from the scene by a getaway driver in a light blue Citroen Picasso.

Cohens Chemist in Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, was broken in to at around 2.15am on August 8 when the culprits – three men in black clothing – damaged windows and counters and made off with medication to the tune of £800.

Harwood Pharmacy declined to comment and the Cohens Chemist chain referred The Bolton News to Louise Gatley, chief officer of the Bolton Local Pharmaceutical Committee.

She said: “We have now raised this with the Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs and have alerted other pharmacies in Bolton.

“With regard to stock availability, patients can be reassured that pharmacies have robust ordering procedures in place and are able to replenish stock very quickly in the event of a theft.”

No arrests have been made.