A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of theft after a delivery van full of parcels was stolen from outside a house. 

Police were called just after 12pm on Wednesday after receiving reports that a teenager had been spotted driving off in the van, which is alleged to have been left running as the courier driver delivered parcels to an address.

The van was later recovered half a mile down the road.

It is believed the parcels were still inside the van. 

A spokesperson for the police said: "We were called just after noon on Wednesday to a report that a delivery van had been stolen from an address on Glenview Close, Ribbleton, Preston.

"A search commenced and the vehicle, a Vaixhall Vivaro, was found on Village Drive.

"Two people were subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft – a 16-year-old boy and a 32-year-old man.

"They have been released under investigation."

Anyone with information about the incident should contact police quoting log reference 452 of December 3.