Crooks who were trying to steal a caravan from a town centre were stopped in the act by police.

Last night (November 4), a vehicle passed officers towing a caravan at about 6pm in Clitheroe town centre.

Sensing something was 'amiss' police wanted to have a word with the driver and upon turning around and catching back up with the caravan, the driver and passenger unhooked the caravan and drove off.

The caravan had been stolen less than 10 minutes prior from a rural location where it was stored.

The caravan has now been reunited with its owners.

The offending vehicle is understood to be a black VW 4X4 vehicle which was on Queensway/Whalley Road at around 6.10pm.

Officers have asked that anyone with dashcam footage of the vehicle and can provide a registration should contact officers on 101 or 3675@lancahsire.police.uk quoting log 1077.

A spokesperson for the police said: “We are asking all caravan owners to be vigilant at this time as its highly likely they will be on the lookout for another one.”

Police have asked that people report any suspicious activity via 101.