TWO shotguns and 10 cartridges have been stolen from a pickup van.

The lawfully-held weapons were stolen, along with items of clothing, from a black Nissan Navara parked in Whitewell Road, Clitheroe.

Police said they did not believe the guns, a Berreta Silver Pigeon 686 over/under shotgun, serial number V205715, and a 12 Bore Miroku over/under shotgun, serial number 59401MV, were the target of the thieves as two other vehicles were broken into around the same time.

Officers said tools were stolen from a white Volkswagen Caddy van and a Mitsubishi Shogun parked near to the Navara.

A dedicated team has been set up to investigate the thefts, which happened between 6pm and 9.30pm on December 30.

Det Insp Eric Halford appealed directly to the thieves to return the property.

He said: "It is imperative that we retrieve these firearms as soon as possible.

“We can't afford to have such items on the streets and in the hands of criminals.

"I would appeal to anyone who has any information which will help us to retrieve the shotguns to come forward.

“I would ask them to search their conscience and think about the criminal purposes these guns could end up being used for.

"Due to the nature of the theft we have dedicated staff investigating this crime to make sure we can remove the shotguns from circulation as soon as possible.

“We are exploiting every line of enquiry, no matter how small it may seem.

"I do not believe the person or people responsible bargained on stealing two shotguns and I would like to appeal to them directly: if you are still in possession of these firearms do the right thing and hand them in before any serious harm is caused."

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.