POLICE investigating a spate of car crime in Hyndburn which has cost motorists thousands of pounds have arrested two local men.

A 42-year-old from Church and a 19-year-old from Accrington, who both live locally, were detained on suspicion of theft yesterday.

The arrests came after tools worth £150 were stolen from a Ford Transit van left unlocked and unattended in an alley between Monk Street and Princess Street, Accrington.

There has been a large rise in auto crime in the Accrington, Oswaldtwistle and Church area in the last few months, with 58 crimes reported in February, 73 (including 47 thefts from vehicles) in March, and 45 (including 21 thefts from vehicles) so far this month. Police say there are similarities between many of the offences and officers are investigating whether they are linked.

Sgt Clare Holbrook, of Accrington police, said: "The van was unattended for just a few minutes around 3.45pm yesterday.

"Thieves went into the rear of it and stole two tool boxes containing numerous bits of equipment valued at £150."

The younger man who was arrested was interviewed and later released on police bail until May 14.

The older man was due to be questioned today.

"We'll be looking to see whether there's a connection between this offence and the other thefts that have happened in Accrington recently," said Sgt Holbrook. And she emphasised: "It's vital that all valuables are removed from cars and vans. "

Earlier this week, equipment was taken from a van in Accrington town centre while a driver asked for directions. And there have been other similar incidents in recent weeks.

Items have been stolen from vans and cars parked outside the Aldi, Homebase and Asda stores, and other vehicles outside Hyndburn Sports Centre and Matalan have also been broken into.

Warning signs have been erected in supermarket car parks along Hyndburn Road, to remind motorists to lock their cars and hide any handbags, wallets, coats and other belongings.

And police and council wardens have stepped up uniformed and undercover patrols in Accrington town centre and at Church, where vehicles have also been targeted, especially older Fords and Vauxhalls.

Police think one factor causing the rise could be additional CCTV surveillance inside shops and increased police targeting of burglars. Such moves may have driven criminals to target cars instead.