Groups of up to 14 men, women and sometimes children have been targeting businesses across the region.

The groups distract the business staff on duty while they search the premises for cash.

Andy Foster, deputy crime reduction manager at South Yorkshire Police, said: "It appears that more than one group is committing this type of offence in South Yorkshire.

Until recently South Yorkshire had not suffered from this type of crime, but crimes of this type are now on the increase across the region.

"Businesses shouldn't keep large amounts of cash on their premises and counting and preparing cash should be done out of sight of customers.

"Busy stores should remove cash from the tills regularly during the day and ensure all cash and cheques are removed at night. It is important to ensure private areas of the business remain secure during trading.

"The first step for any business is to carry out a thorough risk assessment; this means taking a hard look at your business and checking where there is potential weakness in security or opportunity for crime.

"You can then draw up a checklist of potential risks.

"Business are encouraged to link up with each other to share the latest local information on crime prevention."

South Yorkshire is to benefit from a new Business Crime Reduction Centre in Sheffield which will have business crime advisors based across South Yorkshire.

South Yorkshire Police say any businesses who have concerns can contact their dedicated crime reduction officers that can offer expert security advice.

Contact 0114 220 2020 and ask to speak to your local crime reduction officer.