Light-fingered shoplifters have swiped thousands of pounds worth of goods from shops in Reigate and Banstead

The haul, which is mainly pricey cosmetics, is costing businesses thousands as they battle to catch the crooks.

To help put a stop to the problem, detectives from Surrey Police have released 10 CCTV images of people they would like to speak to in connection with the thefts.

More than £3,700 worth of cosmetics, including Max Factor, Rimmel and L'Oreal products, have been stolen from Lloyds Pharmacy and Boots in Horley, Banstead, Redhill and Reigate.

On Tuesday, June 9, thieves stole more than £1,100 worth of goods from Boots, Reigate, and officers believe the same people visited Boots in Banstead four days later (Saturday, June 13) and swipe £747 worth of cosmetics.

More than £85 worth of make-up was stolen from Lloyds Pharmacy, Horley, on Monday, June 10, which is being linked to another theft at the store in January which netted thieves £269.

The most recent theft happened on Saturday, August 1, at the Reigate branch of Boots where almost £200 worth of goods were stolen.

Investigating officer detective sergeant Karl Humphrey said: "We have identified a pattern of thefts in which the same stores are being targeted for their high-value cosmetics and toiletries.

"I am confident the same woman was responsible for two thefts from Lloyds Pharmacy in Horley and I believe that person lives locally.

"From looking at CCTV images it appears as though the same two women targeted different branches of Boots within a very short amount of time and made off with almost £2,000 worth of cosmetics.

"I am appealing to members of the community to look closely at the images and come forward with the names I need so we can arrests these shoplifters.

"We are working hard to identify these suspects but we need your help. If you are offered designer beauty products or make-up at a knock-down price let us know. With your help we can arrest and bring those responsible to justice."

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference RB/09/7417.