POLICE in Pendle have called on residents to report anyone seen removing stone flags or coping stones after a spike in thefts.

There have been around half-a dozen incidents in recent weeks where flagstones and coping stones have been removed in the Colne and Trawden areas.

In some cases police believe stones have been removed and neatly piled up at the side of footpaths waiting to be collected later.

PC Nigel Keates, from Colne and West Craven police, said thefts had been reported in the Keighley Road area of Trawden and that coping stones had been removed from several exterior walls at homes in the Skipton Road area of Laneshaw Bridge.

He said: “It’s been relatively quiet in terms of this sort of crime for a couple of years but in the past two or three weeks we have had five or six reports of the systematic removal of coping stones and flags from properties.

“Anyone can put on a high vis vest and wear a builders’ helmet so just because these people look the part it doesn’t mean they’re legitimate. Especially if they are ‘working’ in the evening or weekend.

“There’s also been cases reported to us where stones have been left piled up neatly on the pavement, obviously waiting to be picked up by a van or truck later and we’ve been able to intervene.

“One line of enquiry is that the gang stealing the stone is travelling over from West Yorkshire and the force here is speaking with our counterparts across the county border.

“I would urge anyone who sees people removing stone or flags to give the police a call on 101.

“If the work is being done legitimately then any householder or building firm will not mind a quick word with the police to ensure that everything is in order.”

Last year, Lancashire police reported stone thefts in a year long period had tripled, from 71 to 213.

Black market prices for some types of paving stone, such as York, can fetch around £100 per square metre.

In some areas, paving stones are to be invisibly marked to deter thieves from stealing York stone.

Leeds City Council said in 2015 it had had to replace £50,000 worth of the stone in a year.

PCSO Luke Gregory, who covers Boulsworth and Foulridge, said: “If you see someone removing stones from a property during night time hours, please contact the police.”