Three men have been arrested in connection with fraud offences following a number of handbag thefts.

The men, from Burnley, were apprehended on Tuesday on suspicion of theft and fraud.

Officers across the Ribble Valley and Pendle had launched a crime prevention initiative after elderly women had purses stolen from their handbags while out shopping in Clitheroe.

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A spokesperson for the police said: "Over recent weeks there have been a number of thefts where thieves targeted handbags and purses of shoppers in supermarkets across Clitheroe.

"Debit cards were stolen and then used by the offenders.

"This has led to a crime prevention initiative locally and we urge local residents to be careful with personal belongings whilst out and about.

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"Officers from the Ribble valley and Pendle teams have conducted enquiries into these thefts which led to the arrest of three men from Burnley yesterday on suspicion of theft and fraud.

"This investigation is still ongoing and any updates will follow."