INVESTIGATIONS are underway after two nearby businesses were burgled between last Friday and Sunday.

The first target to be hit was Kinners Jewellers on Brackley Street, Farnworth, while the second, burgle in the early hours of Sunday, was the Royal Balti House on Lower Market Street, also in Farnworth.

Police have not yet indicated whether or not the crimes are linked but say they are investigating.

Regarding the most recent burglary, a GMP spokesperson said: "We were notified at 5:17am, a quantity of cash stolen.

"Enquiries are ongoing."

Royal Balti manager Nural Meah said that the burglars also did a significant amount of damage.

He said: "There was damage to the back door and they appeared to enter through the window of the ladies' toilets upstairs.

"All of the money from the till was taken, along with iPads and mobile phones, it's really bad.

He added: "There have been other break ins in the area recently, this isn't on.

"It could have been worse if they had damaged the restaurant.

"The business would be destroyed if we had to close, we remain open to serve our customers and are getting the repairs sorted now."

The previous Friday police were called to reports of a burglary at Kinners Jewellers at around 2.15am.

Two men had forced entry, causing damage to the shop front before making off in a red Suzuki with stolen jewellery.

A Kinners Jewellers spokesperson said: "A shop is broken into every single night here, I'm sick of it, especially because I put down a lot of money to have the alarms directed to the police station, but the alarm was faulty.

"As soon as there is a break on the glass, it should go straight to the station, so now I am having to pay out more for new systems."

They added: "Every time you turn up to work in the morning you hear someone else has been broken into.

"Yet there are no police patrols and when they do get caught, nothing happens to them. 

"I am retiring soon, but I feel sorry for up-coming businesses because this is happening too often.

"They're talking about regeneration but how can they spend millions on that when they can't even keep existing business in Farnworth safe?"

No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information can contact police on 01618565757, quoting incident number 238 of 19/11/21.

Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.