AN APPEAL has gone out to motorists in Darwen not to leave their cars unlocked - even for a minute - after police revealed that a pattern of thefts from industrial estates and outside shops is emerging.

Darwen inspector Graham Ashcroft said thefts from cars were becoming a daily occurrence.

He said: "Almost every day there is a theft from a car where someone has left it unlocked. The usual places are car parks, outside shops and particularly industrial estates."

Insp Ashcroft believes that industrial estates in particular are being targeted. He said: "I am coming to the conclusion that certain individuals are waiting for people to leave their cars unlocked and then striking."

Insp Ashcroft said he was concerned that people were leaving their cars unlocked and unattended. He said: "Sometimes this may only be for a minute but people are returning and finding their property has been stolen.

"I wish to put out a strong appeal to the public, particularly business people going about their day to-day activities to lock their cars and take their coats, laptops and bags with them."

He said it was very frustrating for the police to have to deal with these type of thefts. He said: "Almost without fail every morning a car is broken into which is left unattended and unlocked."

Recent thefts from cars include a wallet from a dashboard and a jacket with a wallet in it from another car.

Insp Ashcroft said: "This could be avoided if people took just a few moments to lock their cars.

"It must be very distressing for the victim to have only left their car for a minute and find that been broken into."