Robbers smashed their way into Leonard Dews shop on Clifton Street and stole rings worth tens of thousands of pounds.

Police are hunting the raiders and carrying out detailed interviews with witnesses who saw the robbery and those who saw the getaway cars being abandoned.

But worried business owners want to see more bobbies on the beat and more security cameras, in a bid to prevent further raids.

Marc Whitehead, who is a member of Lytham Enterprise Group and runs Exquisite Shoes on Clifton Street, said: "We really want to see more
police patrols in Lytham.

"People think it's quiet and sleepy but this kind of thing keeps happening and people are getting very concerned.

"At the least we would like to see more CCTV cameras as a matter of urgency, as it would act as a real deterrent."

The gang pulled up outside Leonard Dews at 2.30pm on Wednesday in a Vauxhall Vectra.

Using sledgehammers, they smashed their way into the store through the toughened glass front window as witnesses watched in terror.

FOR THE FULL STORY SEE SATURDAY'S GAZETTE.