Expensive hair products, made popular by TV series The Salon, have been plundered in smash-and-grab raids on hairdressers' shops in Bradford.

The thieves targeted three salons in what police believe was a planned operation to steal the top-of-the-range items and sell them on as cheap Christmas presents.

Now one of the salon owners is considering moving her business out of Heaton, Bradford, after a series of attacks.

The raiders struck at the Ophiuchus, Benson and Hefti, and Elizabeth Vento's salons, all within a few yards of each other in the centre of Heaton.

Nothing was stolen from Vento's but top quality GHD hair straightener Christmas gift boxes, selling at £150 each, tanning sprays and other expensive products, worth a total of £2,500, were stolen from Ophiuchus, and similar items valued at £3,700 were taken from the Benson and Hefti premises. Donna Benn, owner of Ophiuchus, said the raiders had also caused £3,000 damage breaking in through the front door.

She said: "They obviously targeted us for the GHD products, which became famous through The Salon.

"They are all desirable products and they knew what they were after. Other salons need to be aware."

Donna, 36, said she had had windows broken before and her salon and other shops had had graffiti engraved on their windows. "I've got a beautiful salon in a lovely village. But I am now seriously considering moving my business out of Heaton," she said.

"I have already moved home out of the area and you do feel as if you are being driven out. It's a shame because there are lots of lovely people still living in Heaton."

PC Steve Oates, of Bradford North Police, who is investigating the break-ins, said the shops had been targeted for the products. He said: "They can usually dispose of them by flogging them off cheaply as Christmas presents.

"We get more of this type of offence at this time of year and we do increase our vigilance. But if this becomes an increasing pattern we will look at doing something more."

PC Oates warned shop owners to be alert for people paying attention to their premises during the day, be wary of displaying products near windows and make sure alarms were fitted and working.

He added: "If members of the public are offered expensive items on the cheap or know someone who has a stock of them, please get in touch with us."

Three Asian or Afro-Caribbean men were seen making off from Miss Benn's premises down Emm Lane in a silver Ford car with the partial registration similar to 935 KKY.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bradford North Police on (01274) 376259.