FOUR workers at one of Hyndburn's largest employers have been arrested in the wake of a theft crackdown at their factory.

Detectives and security staff swooped on the Church-based Express Gifts earlier this month after widespread stealing from the mail order distribution centre.

Although no one was arrested at the time, a large amount of stolen stock was recovered, which police think was dumped by staff who became concerned at the high number of security staff on the site on the day of the crackdown.

Detective Inspector Bob Eastwood, from Accrington CID, said today: "I can confirm that four people from the firm, all from the Accrington and Blackburn area, have been arrested.

"They have been dealt with and have lost their jobs." He added: "Theft from the workplace is as serious as shoplifting, and people who do steal from their workplace make themselves unemployable. "Express Gifts provides a service for the local community by providing jobs and creating employment opportunities. We will continue to work with Express Gifts."

Express Gifts personnel director Richard Reeve said today: "We knew on the night that there was property which was on its way out, but did not make it through the door.

"Several people have been arrested as a result of the operation, which proves it was a worthwhile exercise in my opinion.

"Our losses of stock have also reduced, which is good news for our staff and our customers.

"We will be working with the police in the future to ensure that people know they won't get away with theft."

Some 1,500 people are currently employed at the Church site, 1,100 of whom are on temporary contracts.

Many of them were stopped and searched by detectives during the five-hour operation.

Bags and personal property were inspected and officers used special electronic detection devices to search every car that left the compound.

The company employs people from throughout East Lancashire, including people bussed in from Colne, Nelson and Burnley.

All workers at the firm sign a contract agreeing that they can be searched at any time and a small number of workers are searched at random as they leave the building each night.