POLICE have warned Hyndburn residents who have stone flags at their properties to beware of thieves operating in the area.

Today officers released the registration of a vehicle they are connecting with the thefts.

A white van H275 VTU was seen driving away from a property in Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, after the homeowner saw a man take four flagstones worth £400 last Thursday.

The owner heard a noise around 8.30pm and looked into the garden to see a man wearing a baseball cap crouched down.

When the owner went outside he saw the white van driving away and the stones had gone.

Two more properties in Clayton-le-Moors were also targeted over the weekend.

PS Dave Reddin of Great Harwood police said: "There was a spate of these incidents in Rishton recently but they seem to have moved to Clayton-le-Moors for some reason.

"This incident occurred while the owner was in the house but others have happened overnight.

"It is possible the thieves have even worn yellow jackets to pretend they were doing the job legitimately.

"We need to hear from anyone who saw this van or who knows who was driving it, as it may be linked to other similar thefts. Also if people own these flags, which can be very valuable, they need to keep an eye on them and report any suspicious activity or suspicious vehicles in the area."

Ten stone flags, worth £200, were taken from a low wall in Queen Street between 7.30pm on Friday and 6.30am on Saturday.

A house in Arthur Street had six stones worth £60 taken between 10.30pm on Monday and 8.30am on Tuesday.

Anyone with information on any of these thefts or on the vehicle believed to be used should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.