An appeal has been put out after booze worth thousands of pounds was taken in a series of shop raids in Carlisle and Penrith.

The call has been put out by Carlisle Business Crime Awareness (CBCA), the organisation that helps combat consumer crime in Carlisle city centre.

The first was on Thursday where they made off with £387 worth of goods. The second, on Friday, saw £882 worth of booze taken. On the same day, in Penrith, £1,000 was stolen.

At each location a woman was seen with a young male. For security reasons the stores have not been named.

The individuals could be driving a dark red Toyota.

The female is described as having “dark hair tied up in a back bun, wearing all black bottoms and fleece with a white top underneath”.

One of the males is described as having “short mousey hair, a parka-style jacket with fur around the hood and a white Nike logo jumper underneath".

“He then changed to a pink shirt and jeans in another store," CBCA says.

The second male is described as having “ginger hair and a navy jacket”.

A spokesman from the organisation said: “Please be aware we are currently dealing with large supermarket alcohol thefts ranging up to £1,000 per store.

“Tags have been taken off alcohol in three separate stores that we know of and left in other areas of the store, in the freezer and clothing aisles.

“We have some good photos and all details are being passed onto the police.

“Please be vigilant and anyone who sees large amounts of alcohol being offered for sale please pass this on to us.”

The CBCA team has been dealing with a number of incidents during the lockdown.

These include repeated attempts to use fake £20 and £50 notes at various retailers in Carlisle. The most recent was reported by the CBCA on Thursday.

The spokesman said: “Two Bank of Scotland £50 notes have been used in two different retailers in the city by a male.

“All serial numbers appear to be the same male.

“He is described as wearing a grey t-shirt with a black body warmer dark jeans and adidas black or navy trainers and a black baseball cap."

A spokesman for Cumbria Constabulary said: "Police are investigating thefts of alcohol believed to be valued at around £2.500 from three supermarkets across Carlisle and Penrith. 

"The thefts are suspected to be the work of one group of individuals."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101, oremail 101@cumbria.police.uk

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.