A "HOLE in the wall" gang smashed into a Bolton gunsmith's shop and got away with a firearms haul.

The release of the guns onto the streets of Bolton - in the wake of a spate of serious shooting incidents - has alarmed police.

Today they appealed for anyone with information about the £3,500 raid to come forward.

The thieves got into Target Sports in Halliwell Road by breaking into empty premises next door and crowbarring through the wall.

They managed to by-pass the alarm system and make their getaway undetected.

Among the five stolen guns was a specialist Stolle target rifle worth £2,000.

However, none of the "designer" rifle's special ammunition was stolen and detectives believe the weapon will be useless to anyone but a firearms expert.

Also stolen was a Winchester target rifle, a Lincoln over-and-under shotgun and two Theoben .22 air rifles, total value £1,500.

DCI Graham Stott said: "They didn't actually get into the shop, but fished out the weapons which had fallen off the display stand while they were breaking through the wall.

"We believe they managed to by-pass the alarm purely by chance. We are anxious to get hold of this sort of stuff as quickly as possible."

The raiders struck between 5pm on Saturday and 7am on Sunday.

Mr Ian Kirby, owner of the shop, said it was the third break-in in 12 months.

He said: "It is very frustrating because I have the most elaborate alarm system on the market, which goes straight through to the police station.

"However, all this means nothing because the empty shop next door has been left totally vulnerable. I have been trying to get it properly secured for months."

"The guns, with the exception of the shotgun, have been taken without their bolts which renders them useless."

Anyone who saw suspicious activities should contact Bolton CID on 522466 in confidence. A reward may be offered under the Crimestopprs scheme.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.