BUNGLING police let a would-be building site thief get away after he convinced them he was waiting for a delivery - at 4.30am.

Officers who were called to the Barnoldswick housing development believed his story that he was a builder waiting for a concrete delivery and allowed him to drive away, police said.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses in a bid to find the man they let get away.

Sergeant John Fryer said the thief's high-visibility jacket and work boots had made him "look the part" to officers.

But town councillor Jennifer Purcell said she was "absolutely disgusted" with them.

Neighbours at the Westfield Mill site, off Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick, had called police after they spotted a man breaking into containers.

He was still there when the two officers arrived 20 minutes later, and had even lined up a haul - a number of power tools - on the ground.

The man told officers he was working as a builder on the development and was waiting for a delivery of concrete.

He then got into his van and drove away, leaving the tools behind and telling the officers he was going to pick up a colleague, but never returned.

Coun Purcell said: "The people who called the police contacted me about it and they said they just couldn't believe it when they saw the police officers standing there and letting him drive off.

"They'd been woken up by the sound of the lock being broken off and then they looked out and saw him taking the tools out.

"They were absolutely disgusted with the police and so am I. They didn't even ask for ID.

"There's been a few break-ins at industrial units and this man could have been behind some of them as well.

"They just let him get away. I don't know whether to laugh or cry."

The van, registered to a Bradford address, was later recovered but the would-be thief has not been found. It is thought he may have switched vehicles.

The officers, from Colne's response team, had attended the incident because none were available from the West Craven area.

Sergeant John Fryer, of Colne police, admitted the thief had given the officers an "unlikely" story, but said he was very convincing and "looked the part."

He said: "The offender was wearing a high-visibility jacket, workboots and a builders' hard hat which could have made his story plausible.

"Fortunately nothing was taken as he abandoned the power tools on the site and we found his vehicle nearby, so we'll be doing forensic checks on that."

Site manager David Graham said workers had arrived on Monday morning to find the containers had been tampered with.

He said: "They were told he was there to do some concreting when he was there to do some stealing. There was obviously a big error in letting this man go, but nothing was stolen and they have got some evidence from the van.

"We would probably have been a lot more upset if anything had actually been taken!"

Police have appealed for information about the man, who was white, with a moustache, short grey hair and a strong north west accent, and asked anyone who can identify him to contact police on 01282 425001, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.