RAIDERS forced entry into a Co-op in Wickford before the store opened - making it the first time crooks have targeted a shop in the town in a week.

Burglars forced entry into the Co-op on High Street at 6am on Friday morning, stealing a number of items.

The shop had not opened at the time, and no-one was inside during the burglary.

Neither Essex Police, or the store itself, were able to provide details of what was stolen, with enquiries ongoing.

The same shop was targeted exactly a week earlier, again being broken into before it had opened, with a number of e-cigarettes stolen - but again no details could be provided on how many or the value of items stolen.

And on Monday, Boots in the Willowdale Centre was also raided.

On Twitter, the shop posted: “Apologies folks we appear to have had another break in last night so the front door is out of action as we get the glass repaired.

“Hopefully all back to normal by 10am, so in the meantime please use our middle doors for entry and exit.”

During the initial Co-op break-in, crooks forced entry at roughly 4am in the morning.

Both Co-op break-ins saw entraces to the shop badly damaged, with repairs needed on both occasions.

The Boots break-in also took place while the shop was closed, with raiders smashing windows at 5.15am.

The store was forced to close for most of Monday, with the burglars clearing a shelf of aftershave in the store.

Police have not confirmed whether the three incidents are being treated as related.

No arrests have been made, with police enquiries ongoing.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We were called to reports of a burglary at a shop in Wickford at around 6am on January 25.

“Entry had been forced into the Co-op store on High Street and a number of items were stolen.

“No one was in the shop at the time of the break-in and enquiries are ongoing.

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Basildon Police Station on 101, quoting 115 of January 25.”

Alternatively, to report information anonymously, contact dedicated crime fighting charity, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Or, to report information anonymously online, visit crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information-online.