SCRAP metal thieves have struck six times in Darwen, stealing a 12ft gate, 20ft car park barrier pole and a cattle grid.

The heavy objects have been stolen from car parks, industrial parks and residential properties over the past month.

It is believed that the crimes are linked to the high price of scrap metal.

And police said the theives were likely to be well-organised and have the use of large vehicles.

Police are appealing for people who have seen an L-registered white Transit van being used suspiciously in Darwen to come forward.

Steel worth £1,000 was stolen from Belmont Waste Water Treatment, Egerton Road, between 3pm on June 11 and 7.30pm on June 12, when thieves broke in through metal padlocked gates.

A steel cattle grid measuring 8ft by 1.5ft was stolen on Roman Road, Darwen, between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on June 24.

Between 6pm on June 28 and 8am on June 29, theives stole a 12ft metal gate from a barn on Tockholes Road, Tockholes, worth £100.

A vehicle was used to steal a 20ft long metal barrier pole worth £1,000 at the entrance of Batteridge Barn car park, Entwistle Reservoir, between 5pm on June 28 and 9am on June 29.

On Stonesbank Road, Belmont, between June 26 and July 3, a steel gate was removed worth £350.

The incidents are also being linked to the theft of 10 stone paving slabs worth £500 stolen from a car park in Tockholes Road, Tockholes between 5pm on June 30 and 7pm on July 1.

Police believe a wooden pole was broken to allow a vehicle to enter the car park and remove the stones.

Detective Sergeant Ian Geogerty of Darwen Police said: “Due to the type of offence we are linking the incidents.

“It is clear the criminals are taking a reasonable amount of time and using a large vehicle to take the items away. We urge people to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.”

Insp Andrea Bradbury said: “There have been sightings of a white L-registered Transit van and we are appealing for the public to help us find the people responsible.”

Call the police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.