OFFICERS are set to meet with construction site owners to review their security arrangements after a spate of break-ins.

Thousands of pounds of power tools, hand tools, laptops and specialist equipment have been stolen in raids across the Ribble Valley since the weekend.

MORE TOP STORIES:

No arrests have been made and police are studying CCTV in a bid to identify the thieves.

But officers have warned that thieves are targeting the Ribble Valley because of the considerable amount of building work that is going on and have urged site owners to ensure their sites are secure.

Sgt Stuart Banks, of Ribble Valley Police, said: “We’re currently dealing with a number of issues where thieves are targetting construction sites.

“It looks like thieves are targetting a number of housing developments, especially storage containers where they keep plant machinery and tools.

“We are going to be meeting site owners to review the security they have got and give them advice where appropriate.

“In the meantime, I would urge all site owners to ensure their properties are safe and secure. Don’t make it easy for the thieves.”

Sgt Banks also issued a witness appeal following the burglaries over the last five days.

The first took place overnight on November 13 and 14 at Strawberry Fields in Gisburn. Thieves forced open a container and stole tools worth £2,000. Anybody who saw anything is asked to call police on 101, quoting crime reference number EG1506243.

Between 5pm on Monday and 7am on Tuesday burglars completed four raids on the same construction site in Clitheroe.

Thieves stole power tools, hand tools, laptops and specialist equipment during the raids, although police have not released the value of the property stolen. Police said thieves climbed over fence, broke into a cabin and stole keys for the metal containers. Anyone with information about those incidents is asked to call police and quote either crime reference number EG1506253, EG1506259, EG1506261 or EG1506262.

PC Tony Walsh said: “If you live within the vicinity of any building sites or properties currently under construction and you see anything remotely suspicious like vehicles or people, please go with your gut feeling and ring the police on the non-emergency 101 so that patrols can check the matter out.”