DETECTIVES say a burglar who was chased from an Accrington home also stole from a van parked in the same street.

The man broke into a Ford Transit van, in Queen Elizabeth Way, sometime overnight between Wednesday and Thursday and stole spanners, sockets and a radio cassette player totalling £740.

Police say the same person was responsible for the burglary when a father chased a man out of his house on Thursday morning after he and his partner were woken by the sound of him rummaging through their bedroom drawers.

The couple, both in their 30s and with a child, were woken at 5am.

The father chased the man as far as the junction with Sandy Lane, where he lost sight of him.

The thief escaped with a purse containing credit cards and a small amount of cash.

The burglar was white, stocky and about 5ft 7ins.

He had short cropped brown hair and wore a three-quarters length quilted jacket which was dark at the bottom and light at the top.

Anyone with information should call Accrington CID on 01254 382141.

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