SHOTGUNS and rifles with silencers have been stolen in a raid at house in East Lancashire.

Police have issued an appeal, saying they are ‘very concerned’ that the guns are in the hands of criminals.

The firearms, a Browning 12 bore under and over shotgun, a Ruger .22 rifle and a Bruno bolt action .22/250 rifle, sell for thousands of pounds. Both rifles have ‘sound moderators’ fitted and are likely to have been used for hunting.

They were stolen during a break-in by two men at a house in Longsight Road, Clayton-le-Dale in the Ribble Valley on Thursday afternoon, between 3pm and 4pm.

Police believe one man climbed through a window at the back of the property and a stole a number of items including two rifles and a shot gun.

Other property stolen included three laptop computers and a small quantity of cash.

He is described as white, with a slim build aged between 20 and 30.

He was wearing a green or blue army issue or fisherman’s type, high waist over trousers with braces possibly with a camouflage pattern and an olive round neck jumper.

The other man may have entered the property but could have possibly stayed in the getaway car.

Both left the scene in a bronze coloured Peugeot 406.

Officers are also keen to speak to people who saw any suspicious activity on the A59 close to Showley Road between 2pm and 4.30pm.

Detective Sergeant Nigel Watson, from the Ribble Valley CID, said: “I would urge any person with information to contact the police straight away.

“I would also appeal to those who may be associated with criminality and may have knowledge of this incident, have been offered a firearm, or know anybody who has been offered such a weapon.”

Call Blackburn police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.