THIEVES who have made thousands of pounds by selling garden ornaments stolen from the Ribble Valley have struck again - this time at two churches.
It is the second time in two months churches have been targeted by the crooks - believed to be from outside of the area - who sell their haul to landscape gardeners.
Eight stone slabs were taken from St Laurence's Church, in Longridge, with 15 more dislodged in preparation for theft, said police.
And another five slabs were stolen from St Paul's Church, in Longridge, with others also dislodged.
Both thefts occurred last weekend and the public have been urged to be alert around churches this weekend.
Several thefts have been reported from graveyards in the Ribble Valley, including Knowle Green Congregational Church, where ornate parts of a headstone were stolen in one raid, with a set of Victorian gates going in another.
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