TWO vans were stolen as builders worked just metres away.

The incidents happened in Bacup within 24 hours of each other, at a building site in New Line, where Harron Homes are working on a housing development and at J&J Ormerod.

Police are linking the incidents and warned people to ensure their vehicles were locked.

The first vehicle was taken from the building site last Thursday at 11.40am.

Two men wearing high visibility jackets pulled up in a van, the passenger got out and stepped into an unlocked van with a trailer full of cable attached to it and drove it off.

The trailer was found dumped.

A passer-by reported a vehicle fitting its description being driven dangerously through Whitworth.

A man was arrested in Oldham, taken back to Burnley for questioning and then bailed for further inquiries.

At the same time on Friday, a Vauxhall Vivaro van was left behind J&J Ormerod with its keys in the ignition.

The workmen were alerted to the theft when they heard the engine start and saw the van race off.

The van was recovered outside Marl Pits Swimming Pool, in Rawtenstall, after it had been stripped.

Inspector John Fryer of Rossendale Police said: “The thieves probably got paranoid and were searching for the van’s tracker. Please lock your vehicles.”