A TEENAGER has been arrested after a house was broken into and a car was stolen from a home in Leyland.

Officers were called at around 3.45am on Wednesday to reports someone had entered a house in Northbrook Road, before taking a set of keys and making off with a car which was parked outside.

The car was located by officers at around 4.50am, but when it was signalled to stop the driver made off and a short pursuit followed.

The car then stopped in Leyland and a 17-year-old from Preston was arrested on suspicion of burglary at a dwelling. He remains in custody.

Inspector Rob Conolly-Perch, of the Lancashire Police TacOps team, said: “A call came in about this incident shortly before 4am and a short time later the car was located.

"Following a pursuit, one person was arrested.

“We appreciate how frustrating and upsetting this type of crime is, and the negative effect it can have on local communities, but we hope this sends a message that we take this kind of crime very seriously and will not stand for people taking what is not rightfully theirs.

“We would urge residents to take precautions to make it more difficult for thieves to target cars, such as removing valuables, parking vehicles in a garage if you have one and storing your car keys away from household entry points.”