TWO men caught shoplifting in the Ribble Valley had come from out of the area and described locals as a 'soft touch' after their arrest.

Police detained the men for theft from stores in Longridge and Penwortham.

A spokesperson for Ribble Valley Police said: 'We responded to reports of two detained shoplifters tonight. Unfortunately for them, their shoplifting skills weren't up to scratch and they have been interviewed and reported for theft from Longridge and Penwortham stores.

'They'll appear in court at a later date. The shoplifters were from out of the area and came here as we are, in their words, 'a soft touch'. Let's hope that detaining, interviewing and reporting them to court would suggest that this is not the case.'