A NEIGHBOUR has slammed thieves who helped themselves to stone slabs from the path outside his home three times in 12 months.

Mark Cooper, who lives in Lock Street, Oswaldwistle said thieves have targeted his 'quiet street'' just months after road bosses were forced to lay a new surface to repair the path after a previous theft.

The remaining stone slabs were stolen overnight on Wednesday.

Community leaders described the problem with stone thefts across Hyndburn as reaching 'epidemic proportions'.

Mr Cooper, 41, said: “The theft of stone slabs is a common problem not just locally but countywide.

“This isn’t the first time the paved area outside our property has been hit.

“The last time stone slabs were stolen from outside our house Lancashire County Council came out and laid a new surface in the areas of the missing slabs.

“In hindsight they should have lifted the whole thing. That would have solved the problem.

“It means the county council has to come out twice to deal with the same problem.

“I want to get a CCTV system installed so I can catch the people doing this on camera and give some hard evidence to the police because its getting too much now."

Cllr Stewart Eaves, who represents the area on Hyndburn Council, has asked County Hall to remove the remaining stones and tarmac the entire surface.

He said: “Stone theft in the borough is of epidemic proportions.

“That small street in particular has been hit three times before. It’s a disgrace.

“They have come back and removed some more and obviously it is dangerous to walk in that area.

“I have contacted Lancashire County Council to ask for it to be repaired.

“I can see why someone has done stolen them because they can be quite valuable but this is wrong.

“The residents should be able to live their lives without this fear.

“It’s absolutely awful the way it is and needs a permanent solution.”

County Cllr Peter Britcliffe, who represents Oswaldtwistle, said: “I sympathise with residents because this is a huge problem in the borough.

“It is very difficult to catch these people who operate at night or in the early hours of the morning.

“Anybody who can give any information on it should contact Lancashire County Council.”

Lancashire County Council were unable to comment.