A CLEANER was stabbed in the arm after tackling a man trying to steal a van.

The victim, who has not been named, was cleaning the public toilets in Cliviger when he heard a noise.

He left the facility to check his van and found a man sitting in the driver's seat.

He tackled the man but a scuffle followed and he was attacked, suffering a wound to his arm. The man got out of the vehicle and ran off.

Detective Constable Tim Maddocks said: "He managed to lean through the window to detain this man but there was a scuffle and during this scuffle the victim was hit on the arm with a sharp-ended instrument.

"After the scuffle the offender managed to escape and was chased by the victim but was lost in a nearby field."

DC Maddocks said it was not known what the instrument was, but the wound was treated in Burnley General Hospital and the man was released.

A man has been arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail, but police are still appealing for witnesses to the incident, which occurred at 9.30pm on Tuesday.

Anyone with any information should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Burnley CID on 01282 472144.