DETECTIVES are on the hunt for car thieves following a surge in vehicle crime across a town.

Police have launched an investigation following reports of a spike in vehicle crime across Padiham, down from Gannow, Ightenhill with Whittlefield, Gawthorpe and Hapton.

A mixture of insecure vehicles and smashed windows have been reported to local officers.

A police spokesman said: "Please lock your vehicles and do not leave things on display especially loose change and tobacco no matter how big or small.

"If you see anyone acting suspicious in the area please report this to police on 101."

If anyone has any information contact 5978@lancashire.pnn.police.uk

Cllr Ken Buckley, who is the town mayor, said: "I understand there is a new trend of putting bricks through windows rather than bricking them.

"The crime in Padiham is slowly being cracked down but we do get peaks and troughs.

"The police crime figures will be shown to council members at the next town council meeting.

"It will tell us sentencing and incidents they have and other than get and going on full council next week."

It will be discussed at the next Padiham Town Council meeting, on Well Street, Padiham, on Monday from 7pm.