Police dogs were called in to try to sniff out smash and grab raiders as they fled with a batch of aftershave.

The break-in was reported at Debenhams in Culver Street West, Colchester, where the thieves smashed a window and grabbed the haul.

Colin Stiff, of Colchester police, said: "A dog team was called in after an 8ft by 2ft window was smashed."

He said intruders had got in and taken the aftershave and other items, worth £1,500, but were not caught. He added that detectives were checking CCTV following the raid, at about 10.30pm on Saturday.

Two other shops were hit by smash and grab raids the next day, both during the daytime. In Toko jewellers in Eld Lane, a window was broken and £2,000 worth of jewellery was taken at about 11.25am yesterday

Less than 90 minutes later, thieves smashed a window at Colchester Optical Centre in Red Lion Yard and snatched designer glasses from a display.

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Published Monday, January 24, 2005

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