FUEL bandits are sneaking on to remote farms and robbing them of hundreds of litres of diesel in the dead of night.

Police in the Ribble Valley have had five reports of fuel thefts in the last week - and are now urging farmers to make sure storage tanks are secure.

They believe equipped criminals are driving in to the Ribble Valley and targeting farms close to the A59, the main road running through the Valley.

Some 500 litres of red diesel - the dyed fuel which is duty exempt and only meant for agricultural vehicles - was stolen in the latest raid at a farm in Bolton-by-Bowland.

It was the third time a farm has been targeted in the village in the past week, with another 200 litres being stolen from a holding in Holden Lane.

A farmer in Slaidburn was also left counting the cost after 30 litres vanished from his farm.

Inspector Bob Ford, of Clitheroe Police, said: "There have been quite a few thefts recently, which is why we are issuing this warning to farmers.

"In a couple of cases, the farms haven't actually secured their fuel tanks at night which makes them a soft target. This fuel is then sold on in a black market and is probably orchestrated by criminals who travel in from outside the area."

He added: "I would urge farmers to make sure fuel tanks are fully secured at night. And I would also ask people out late at night or early morning to keep an eye out for anyone behaving suspiciously or any vehicles that appear out of place."

The Ribble Valley has been targeted by travelling criminals in recent months.

Its status as an affluent area, with little CCTV outside Clitheroe and Whalley, as well as the easy access villages have to main roads and motorway links, has also made it a hot spot for crimes.

Warnings have also been issued over leaving valuables in parked cars hotels, pubs and golf courses in they area. Two cars stolen from Ribblesdale Swimming Pool car park, in Clitheroe, were found in Bolton and Manchester areas.

Anyone with information about fuel thefts should contact police on 01254 51212.