POLICE are warning businesses with a cash machine to be on their guard after a spate of failed ram-raids.

Three premises have been targeted since January in weekend raids, each carried out in busy locations.

Cars are used to force the door of a business, in a bid to gain access to a cash machine but, so far, no money has been stolen.

In the latest raid, the culprits drove a white, three-door hatchback at a garage on Tottenham Road, Lower Darwen, at about 10pm on Saturday.

The front door was rammed open, but the cash machine had been emptied earlier and the would-be thieves left empty-handed.

Police are now linking the raid to two others. The first took place on Sunday evening, February 27, at an off-licence on Blackamoor Road, Blackburn. Police believe the culprits were frightened off by the alarm.

The final crime being linked by officers took place on a Friday evening, January 28, at a bookmakers on Whalley Bank, Blackburn. Again, the thieves left empty-handed.

Now police officers are planning to contact properties in the area with an ATM, and warn them of the trend.

Det Sgt Mick Cross of Blackburn CID, said: "My concern is they will continue to do it and eventually they will obtain cash or property."

Anybody with information about the raids should call the police on 01254 51212.