HIGH Street shop owners are on their guard after burglars targeted two premises on the same night last week.

A ground floor window at the Tudor Rose Tea Rooms was smashed and a children's charity box was stolen between 5.30pm last Tuesday and 8.30am the following morning,

On the same night, a ground floor window was smashed at the Wild Bunch florist and £50 cash was taken from the till.

John Huggins, owner of the Wild Bunch, said he believed thieves had also tried to break in the following night but had not been able to get in.

"It's obviously someone who has come in the shop before, and they could only get to the till by breaking the window," he said.

"We have other valuable things which they must have seen and come back for the next night, but they couldn't get through the door."

Both properties are reached via alleys off High Street and it is also possible to gain access via the rear gardens approaching Bulls Head Yard.

Mr Huggins added: "Unless you know the area you would not know how to get in.

"It's very disappointing but business is going on as usual - they are not going to beat me."

Pc Samantha Stanford has visited High Street shopkeepers warning them to conceal charity boxes when their shops are closed.

Anyone with information about the burglaries is urged to call her at Alcester Police Station on 01926 415000 extension 4823.