THIEVES escaped with tens of thousands of pounds of electronic cigarettes during a five-minute raid on a warehouse.

Twenty boxes of the smoking devices were taken from Liberty Flights in Darwen in what has been described as a ‘targeted attack’.

Company bosses are now considering relocating from Grimshaw Street and upping security.

Police believe the burglars drove away in a van and are appealing for help in tracing the culprits.

And they are also keen to hear from anyone who is offered the e-cigarettes - which have ‘Liberty Flights’ written down the side.

The burglary happened at 9pm on Sunday, with the thieves forcing open a roller shutter, smashing through a door and breaking the alarms.

Company director Abe Spain said: “It does look like it was a targeted attack on our business.

“They were in and out in five minutes and the police arrived just 90 seconds after they had gone.

“It was a serious bit of work. They took everything we had in there.

“It has forced us to think about relocating for security purposes and we are even looking at bringing in guard dogs.”

Marsh House town councillor Simon Huggill said: “I was very shocked to hear about this break-in.

“It certainly seems a very well sized-up job.

“I just hope the people responsible are caught and brought to justice.”

Det Sgt Kathryn Cussans said: “We are keen to speak with anybody who may have seen anything suspicious in the area or who may have been offered ‘Liberty Flights’ branded electronic cigarettes for sale.”

Anybody with any information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.