A vicious gang has targeted eight local bookies over the past four weeks, stealing thousands of pounds and causing panic among staff.

The latest incident took place on Wednesday night at Tote on Ormskirk Road, Newtown, when two men kicked open the door and smashed the screen with a brick before stealing money from the till and running off.

Just 30 minutes later, two men burst into Ladbrokes on Woodhouse Drive through the front door.

One of the men jumped over the counter and stole cash before both men left through the front door, making off on foot along Woodhouse Drive.

Other robberies have been reported in Ashton, Goose Green, Beech Hill, Worsley Mesnes and Lower Ince.

In all cases, between two and four men enter the bookmakers through the front door, used a brick to smash the glass partition and climb over the counter to steal money, before leaving through the front door.

The offenders have been described in several cases as white men in their early 20s with Liverpool accents.

Det Sgt Lyndon Wright, of Wigan CID said: "Thankfully, nobody was injured in these incidents.

"Crimes against business are often seen as victimless crimes, but they do cause real financial loss, disrupt business and threaten security, staff and customers.

"All these incidents have happened in the evening on busy roads and I am sure somebody must have seen these men entering or leaving these
bookmakers."