TAXI drivers have been warned against leaving cash in their cabs after a spate of break-ins.

Police have recorded five incidents in the past week - two on Wednesday night alone - of float cash being stolen from cars left overnight in Nelson and Brierfield.

They said car criminals targeted taxis because they knew there was often cash inside, even though it may only be a small amount.

Officers have now begun a campaign to stamp out the problem, and have visited taxi offices throughout the area to give advice on crime prevention.

They have also introduced plain-clothes monitoring of hotspot areas to try to catch the thieves in the act.

Sergeant Mark Baines, of Nelson police, said: "Historically we have had problems with taxis being targeted and we have had quite a number of incidents now in the past few days.

"We are working hard to catch the thieves, but we also want to work with the taxi firms to make sure these people know there will not be anything there to take if they break in.

"Taxi drivers don't leave their takings in the cars, but they quite often come home late at night and leave the float in there.

"It might only be a small amount but it is very easy for an offender to just break in and take it, which means an increase in crime for us and an insurance claim for the driver.

"We want to impress on everyone to make sure they don't leave anything on show in their vehicle overnight, no matter how small its value may be."

Earlier this year Hyndburn Taxi Association claimed drivers were being targeted by an organised gang after more than 30 vehicles were raided in two weeks. All of these cases involved smash and grab raids.

Anyone with information about thefts from taxis in Nelson and Brierfield can contact police on 01282 425001, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.