POLICE today renewed their appeal for witnesses to a smash and grab theft from a Royal Mail van in Clitheroe town centre yesterday.

They have issued a description of a man they want to interview in connection with the incident outside the King Street Post Office at 9.40am.

The man smashed the passenger window of the van, which had been left unattended for a few minutes, before making off with a tray of valuable special delivery parcels.

Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the theft, particularly the driver of a blue Astra Estate parked behind the Royal Mail van at the time of the incident. They believe the man may have used the vehicle to escape and that it may have been driven by a woman.

DC Alan Procter, of Clitheroe CID said it was likely the smash and grab was planned and police were particularly interested in tracing the blue Astra Estate.

The value of the contents of the special delivery parcels or their destinations has not yet been determined.

The man police want to interview is described as scruffy, wearing a bobble hat and possibly with a goatee beard.

Witnesses should call Clitheroe police on 01200 443344 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.