ORGANISED gangs are travelling to the Ribble Valley and targeting high value cars, according to police.

Officers have sent out a warning to car owners urging them to be extra vigilant after two high value vehicles were stolen in one night.

The thieves entered houses in Claremont Avenue in Clitheroe and Millbrook Court in West Bradford in the early hours of Thursday this week, taking car keys from the properties and driving off in the cars.

They activated the alarm at the house in Claremont Avenue and in Millbrook Court they were disturbed by the home owners banging on the windows, between 2am and 4am on February 18.

Two Golf GTIs, which were outside the homes, were taken in the incidents.

An investigation into the thefts has been launched and police are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.

Detective Inspector Claire Holbrook from Accrington CID said, who is leading the inquiry, said the gang were most likely from out of town.

She added: “Whilst this type of crime is rare, it tends to be committed by criminals who travel into the area specifically to target high value cars.

“There are a number of simple steps, which people can take to make themselves less vulnerable to this type of crime such as making sure their houses and cars are locked and secure at all times and removing keys and valuables away from doors at night time.”

It is thought the gang forced open a window of the house in Claremont Avenue, before taking the car keys and letting themselves out of the rear door. The occupants of the house were woken as the house alarm was activated.

The occupants of the house in Millbrook Court heard a noise during the incident and started banging on the windows as the thieves drove off with the car.

Anyone with information should call Clitheroe police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.