GANGS are thieves are plundering the Ribble Valley for metal and diesel.

The price hikes in metal and fuel are being blamed for the spate of tcrime.

Since the beginning of June thieves have struck five times, stealing lead worth almost £3,000 from the roofs of garden centres, schools and churches across the borough.

And 4,000 litres of diesel worth £3,200 have also been stolen in two separate incidents at Townson Bros Fuel Services, Pendle Trading Estate, Clitheroe Road, Chatburn.

Sergeant John Lynsey urged residents to be on the lookout for suspicious vehicles cruising around the streets late at night looking for scrap metal and diesel.

He said: “The matter has now been listed as a priority by officers and the rise in thefts is an indication of the global fuel and metal prices and it is beginning to affect local honest businesses and residents.

“Thieves usually target large vehicles parked in farm yards or businesses because they are isolated areas, but we will be increasing patrols and speaking to residents about any suspicious activity.”

On June 3 thieves targeted Chatburn Primary School stealing £100 worth of lead from the roof and £50 worth of lead flashing from the porch of a house in Ribblesdale View, Chatburn.

Overnight on June 13 £300 worth of lead cladding was stolen from St Hubert’s Church in Dunsop Bridge and on the same day thieves struck at the Shackleton Garden Centre in Chatburn, taking £500 worth of lead from the roof area.

And the garden centre was hit again overnight on June 16 when thieves stole £2000 worth of lead sheeting.

Sgt Lynsey added: “We suspect that there are gangs of people who are trawling the streets looking for scrap and we would encourage residents to call the police if they spot these people."

Anyone with information should call Clitheroe police on 01200 443 344.