Six Christchurch businesses hit within 90 minutes during early morning break-ins

A string of business break-ins and car thefts have been reported across Christchurch, all within 90 minutes.

Six businesses were hit during a 90 minute window early on Saturday morning, Senior Sergeant Stephen McDaniel said. They included a pharmacy and more than one liquor store.

Police believe the cases are linked.

The events took place in a chain of suburbs, with police briefly catching sight of what they believe was a vehicle being driven by the suspects.

"Two stolen vehicles were involved in the first three break ins, which took place on Ensign Street, about 5:40am," McDaniel said.

"One of the cars was abandoned after being used to gain entry to a Wigram liquor store a short time later.

"A suspect vehicle was spotted on QEII Drive following another burglary on Hawke Street about 6:40am, but due to the dangerous driving behaviour it was not pursued.

"The vehicle was found abandoned on Dunbarton Street, Redwood, about 7:10am, nearby to where another vehicle was stolen."

The affected businesses were now working out what had been taken, McDaniel said, and police were following "every line of enquiry available to us".