Traders in Swan Street have demanded action after thieves broke into Superdrug on Tuesday night and ransacked the store.

The criminals are believed to have used a crowbar to force open the doors at around 10.20pm before being disturbed and making off in a silver Volkswagen Golf with the registration VO53 ZCZ.

This is the second time the store has been targeted and it is the seventh burglary in the same row of shops since September.

Cabin News, Hairs and Graces, osteopaths Elizabeth Cooke and Caffe Chai in Swan Street have also been targeted, along with Mellors in Market Place and Rumps the Butcher in Brook Street.

David Way runs Present Days in Swan Street and fears his shop could be next. He said: "It is very worrying.

"I feel extremely nervous that we don't have the police cover that we pay for.

"We are trying to get the police to tell us if there is a problem so we can warn other traders by email and shop radio."

Mr Way, who has been running his gift shop for 32 years, believes the break-ins are part of a wider problem with the emergency services in Warwick.

The town's fire station, in Albert Street, is one of seven earmarked for closure by Warwickshire County Council and the front desk at Warwick police station closed for a trial period on Friday.

Services are now provided at Warwickshire Direct in Shire Hall, Market Place.

Mr Way said: "It is just all about penny-pinching and saving money and the people who suffer are those paying their business and council taxes."

Stuart Macbeth runs Claridges in Swan Street. He said: "There is a feeling that the police are not doing enough to investigate this.

"We can't stop the break-ins. All we can do is minimise the damage.

"We are insured for the business but I would encourage traders to increase their security and remember to back up files from their computers."

It is not just break-ins. A man using fake £20 notes also visited at least 12 shops in the town last week leaving traders out of pocket.

Area Commander Chief Insp Martin McNevin said: "Police were in attendance within four minutes.

"As a result of swift police action a car was stopped and the majority of the property stolen was recovered.

"The investigation is still ongoing and police are currently following up a number of significant leads.

"We take all reports of crime very seriously. We would welcome an opportunity to meet representatives of the Warwick Chamber of Trade and discuss their concerns."