FORENSIC officers have searched lockers at a Blackburn swimming pool for evidence relating to a spate of thefts.

Valuables including cash, clothes and a mobile phone have been taken after six lockers in changing rooms at the Waves water centre were unlocked or forced open.

Extra plain-clothed swimming pool staff are on patrol, while police and leisure bosses have held talks to see if more can be done to improve security.

Blackburn police spokeswoman Liz Riding said today: "Six thefts have been reported by people visiting the baths on June 19, 20, 21 and 22. Three of those thefts took place on June 22. Scene-of-crime officers have looked for evidence such as fingerprints."

She said surveillance of changing rooms was a sensitive matter and there were no CCTV cameras watching the Waves changing areas.

The pool is managed by Blackburn with Darwen Council. Steve Rigby, the council's leisure and sport director, said: "We will put in place more robust security measures, working with Lancashire Police, with immediate effect."

He declined to expand on what the new measures might be, saying: "Secrecy is an important weapon against thieves."

But he emphasised: "Steps were taken straight away to tighten security after the first incident was reported. Everything is being reviewed.

"We take security and safety very seriously."

Chris Walsh and Claire Knutton, of Bolton, visited the pool on June 20 with their six children. It was their first trip to Waves for two years, but Chris said: "We won't be going back until security is changed."

His bag was stolen, containing a wallet with £100 cash, a mobile phone, keys for his house, car and work, a watch, glasses and clothes. The empty bag was found in an adjacent cubicle.

Chris said: "Our gripe is with the security system. We were given a rubber band with a locker number on it. When we got out from the baths, I just told an attendant my number and he opened it with his key. He didn't really check it."

Owen Batty, 32, of Honey Hole, Blackburn, lost a mobile phone and £90 cash on June 19. He also called on Waves to change the locker system, saying thieves could easily gain access to any locker.

And 12-year-old Michael Bolton, of Aster Chase, Lower Darwen, lost tracksuit bottoms and £7.50 the same day.

Mr Rigby added: "There are strict guidelines on opening lockers for customers, which staff know to follow."