CAR thieves in Darwen are putting lives at risk by driving stolen vehicles through the town and setting fire to them, police officers have warned.

A pair of high-value cars were stolen from outside homes in Darwen last week and later left to burn.

The first incident involved an eg Vauxhall Calibra stolen from the Ellenshaw Close area, at around 10.30am on Saturday, August 27.

It was discovered later by police officers in Carr Road near to the junction with the A666, and had been set on fire.

Then a Y-reg Vauxhall Omega, worth £7,500, was stolen from Olive Lane between 11am on August 27 and 12.20am on August 28.

It was driven around the town before being abandoned in a quiet back alley and torched.

Police investigating the crimes believe the two thefts are connected. Detective Sergeant Claire Holbrook, of Darwen CID, has urged people to report any information they may have about the culprits before someone is injured or killed.

She said: "These vehicles are high value and this mindless destruction of them needs bringing to a close before a pattern begins to develop.

"The offenders in these cases undoubtedly will have placed lives in danger in Darwen while driving stolen vehicles that they are not used to.

"I would ask the members of the community to contact us and tell us their identity before someone gets killed by this type of activity or as a result of the fires.

"We are also advising people to use garages if they've got them.

"These are opportunistic crimes and people should be vigilant if they see anyone unusual around a neighbour's vehicle."

DS Holbrook said she was connecting the two thefts and believed they could have been carried out by the same people.

Anyone who knows anything about either incident should contact DS Holbrook on 01254 353841.