BURGLARS have stolen hundreds of pounds in a series of raids on shops and pubs in Jericho and North Oxford.

Traders last night said several businesses had been targeted by a gang of thieves in the last few weeks and warned other businesses to not leave cash on the premises.

Police are linking the three most recent break-ins, at Daisies Flower Shop in Walton Street, and Phil- osophy Hairdressing and Court Candy Shop in Woodstock Road, last weekend.

Other businesses broken into in the last few weeks include Party-mania, in Kingston Road, where a charity box was stolen, The Bookbinders, in Victor Street, and Gluttons Delicatessen and Italian restaurant Branca in Walton Street.

Attempted burglaries were also reported at the Jericho Tavern, and Walton Street Cycles.

At Daisies, thieves smashed a window at the back of the shop and escaped with £450 and a laptop computer.

Manager Abigail Roberts said it seemed almost every shop in Walton Street had been targeted.

She said: “It is a lot of money and it will cost another £150 to replace the window. It is really getting a bit out of hand.”

Andrew Hall, of Philosophy Hairdressing, had about £200 stolen from his salon. He said: “We had a large paving slab and two pieces of rock thrown through the front of the salon, the glass shattered everywhere.

“They stole a lot of the junior staff’s tips which for them is quite upsetting because a lot of them rely on that for going out money.

“The most expensive thing is going to be replacing the very large window, with the high insurance in the Jericho area we can’t really afford to claim on our excess.”

At the Court Candy Shop, in Woodstock Road, burglars forced open a back window, smashed their way into the safe and managed to steal £300. Manager Ash Eatel said: “We have never been done before, it is definitely a shock.”

John Beck, of the Jericho Cafe, Walton Street, which has not been broken into, said: “All the businesses on Walton Street are aware of the fact lots of places have been broken into. Awareness of security is heightened.”

The manager of the Bookbinders, who asked not to be named, said: said staff were careful not to leave any cash on the premises.

Sgt James Blackmore, of the city centre neighbourhood policing team, said they believed the three recent burglaries were connected.

They are appealing for witnesses.

Call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if you have information.