Power tools, a quad bike and a Ford transit van have been stolen following a spare of rural robberies this week.

Police have seen an increase in break-ins to outbuildings and garages on properties in rural areas, particularly the High Lane area of Salterforth, near Barnoldswick, over the past few days.

Between Monday (March 21) and Tuesday, two properties were targeted on High Lane during which a number of Stihl branded power tools have been stolen along with a green coloured Yamaha quad bike.

As well as these items, a white Ford Transit van, registration YT07FBV, containing numerous power tools and building equipment, was stolen from one of the two properties and was then used at the second property to transport stolen items away from the area.

A spokesperson for the police said: “We are asking for residents to remain vigilant and ensure that your property is as secure as possible, particularly outbuildings and garages and report any suspicious activity to the police on 999 (if a crime is in progress) or 101 (non-urgent).

“Secondly, we are also asking residents to be vigilant for the Transit van, stolen and used in these crimes, as it may well have been abandoned somewhere in the local area due to defective power steering."

Police are asking anybody who may have information to email on: RibbleValleyRuralTaskForce@lancashire.police.uk quoting incident reference: LC-20220322-0703”