BOSSES at an East Durham department store are tightening security after two raids by thieves in a week.

Argos, in Broad Close, Peterlee, has been targeted twice by thieves who smashed windows at the back of the store and raided jewellery cabinets.

In the first incident on Monday night, bracelets and other items of jewellery worth £1,000 in total were stolen after thieves smashed a window panel with a steel post.

On Thursday night, thieves raided the store again and made off with a number of jewellery trays. Police are linking the two incidents after both burglaries displayed the same method of entry.

Store deputy manager Claire Blackburn said: "We are a tight-knit group here, but morale is very low at the moment.

"We were just getting over the first one on Monday when it happened again - we just hope that's the end of it.

"Security will definitely be tightened after this. The one saving grace is that, despite all the disruption that has been caused, we have managed to open for business every day.

"The jewellery section has been cordoned off so new reinforced glass can be put in."

A police spokesman said: "We are investigating these two incidents and cannot rule out the possibility that the same person or persons have been responsible for both smash and grab raids."

Anyone who has any information on the raids should contact Durham Police on 0191-386 4929.