Three people have been arrested after a stolen car was found abandoned in a rural lane.

On Thursday, officers from the rural task force in Rossendale received a tip-off from a member of the community in relation to a vehicle which had been left on a lane close to Edenfield.

The tip-off came during pro-active visits to farms in the Valley to discuss various issues around crime and protection for rural residents.

Following enquiries, three people were arrested and are now in custody.

A spokesperson for the police said: "Officers from your Rossendale rural task force have recently been visiting farms in the Valley and discussing various issues.

"This has paid dividends today when we have received a tip off from a member of the rural community regarding a vehicle which had been left abandoned on a lane near to Edenfield.

"Officers from the rural task force and immediate response T3 have attended the area, located the vehicle, which was quickly established stolen by means of a burglary, and also arrested three individuals who are now in police custody.

"We are aware of a rise in vehicle thefts in the area and will continue to proactively target these individuals.

"You can run but you can’t hide."