A WOMAN motorist had nearly £2,000 worth of goods stolen by two youths as she waited at a junction in her car.

The motorist was in Herbert Street, Burnley, when two boys opened the passenger side door of her 51-reg silver Toyota Corolla and asked for a cigarette.

When she refused, the raiders grabbed a black shoulder bag on the passenger seat and ran off.

The bag contained a Sagum mobile phone, cash, high street store vouchers and bank cards, worth a total of £1,784.

Police today reassured motorists such offences were rare in the borough but warned motorists to keep valuables out of sight, even when driving.

Inspector Dave Croll said: "This is not a common type of crime in Burnley.

"The woman was physically uninjured but shaken by the incident.

"We would ask people to take basic crime prevention to prevent them becoming a victim of crime.

"If you have a bag put it under the seat or in the boot out of view so you don't tempt anyone opportunist enough to be tempted."

The youths were described as 12 to 13-years-old and 4ft 6ins to 4ft 7ins. One was wearing a dark baseball cap, white zip-up top and dark tracksuit bottoms The other was wearing a light baseball cap and dark clothing.

They ran down a back street following the incident by the junction of Montague Street at about 3pm on Thursday.

Anyone with information should ring Burnley Police on 01282 425001 and ask for PC 3443 Karen Shiach.