POLICE have issued a warning to residents in Clitheroe to be on their guard against a sneak thief who may be posing as a policeman.

An elderly couple disturbed the thief in their home in the Edisford area of town and as he ran out he shouted: "It's all right, I'm a police officer and I'm chasing someone."

The thief, who got away with a cheque book, was aged about 30 with short ginger hair and wore a white shirt and dark "police-type" trousers.

He had sneaked into the couple's home through an open door while they were in the garden, and police are warning householders to be vigilant about security.

Insp Roger Ravenscroft said: "The warm weather tempts people to leave their doors ajar and unlocked but this provides the opportunist thief with ample chance to sneak in.

"I must warn people to be very careful about leaving their door insecure, no matter how hot it is."

Anyone with information about the this latest theft should contact the police on 01282 863161.

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