B&Q count the cost of cash raids

These dramatic CCTV pictures show the moment masked raiders smashed their way into a Black Country DIY store to steal cash.

Burglars targeted B&Q on Spring Vale Business Park, Bilston, twice in a month, breaking into the main office and making off with money.

Click on the image on the right to see more pictures.

Police said today on both occasions they tried to smash glass in the doors to the main entrance.

When that failed, they forced a fire door. Police say they have now stepped up patrols and the store has reviewed security.

One picture shows a thief wearing a white baseball cap and a black coat pulled up to hide his face. In the background, an accomplice dressed all in black can be seen.

A second image shows one of the gang of four hitting out with what appears to be a metal bar. Police believe the same four men may be responsible for both break-ins.

Pc Stewart Stirling, from the Ettingshall neighbourhood policing team, said today: "These images are very clear and I am sure someone in the community will be able to identify who these people are.

"Every year West Midlands Police deal with businesses that have been affected by crime, from the independent shop owner to the multi-national company.

"It's not a victimless crime, it can have long-term effects on the organisation and its staff."

The break-ins happened overnight on October 4 and November 1.