BUSINESS owners in Marlborough are shocked and upset after a spate of break-ins at the weekend.

Mercer's Cafe and the Dogs Trust charity shop in Hilliers Yard and Landmark in the High Street were all broken into in the early hours of Sunday (August 14).

Thieves raided a tips jar, made off with cash from a till and snatched thousands of pounds worth of goods.

Hayley Mercer, owner of Mercer’s, said: “It was my birthday so I had my phone turned off as we were going out.

"Exactly the same thing happened last September. They broke the door down, went upstairs and through into the Dogs Trust shop.

"You don’t expect it to happen in Marlborough as it is a peaceful town.”

The thieves stole £30 out of the tips jar in Mercer's and also went through the till, taking money which had been left for the float.

Katy Warren, area manager for the Dogs Trust, said: "Like Mercer's, this isn't the first time it has happened to us.

"It is very upsetting for anyone but when they go after a charity it is terrible. It affects the work we do in the immediate community and further afield. They stole cash and caused some damage inside. We are hoping anyone with information can come forward."

Thieves broke through a door at Landmark, setting off security alarms, before making off with £4,500 worth of outdoor clothing and equipment.

Toby Hassell, manager of the shop, said: "Our alarm system and smoke screen worked as it should, which made them run away. Obviously these things aren't nice but we were ready for it."

Last week the cash machine outside Waitrose was set alight and last month burglars broke into Bertie Maffoons in Blenheim Road and stole a number of expensive road bikes.

PC Jamie Brown said: "We are appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard any suspicious activity in the Hilliers Yard area in the early hours of Sunday.

"In particular, we are keen to hear from anyone who saw a man with a bald head wearing a light-coloured hooded jumper in the area around this time.

"We are carrying out a thorough investigation into these two incidents and have increased patrols in the area."

The man in question was spotted on CCTV in the Hilliers Yard area.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.