POLICE have issued a warning to shoppers and traders in Accrington against thieves who are stealing armfuls of clothes worth thousands of pounds from town centre shops.

Officers have said that the raids have been taking place over the last month.

They have revealed that one avenue they are investigating is that the stolen clothes could be sold on in local pubs.

The police's town centre team is asking for anyone with information to contact them.

Sergeant Mark Porter of the police's town centre team said: "We have had a few incidents over the last month or so of people walking out with literally thousands of pounds worth of clothing stuffed in bags.

"They're going in and taking rails of clothing from some of the bigger stores in the town centre and on the periphery of the town centre."

Traders have said people need to be aware of what is going on.

Phil Bond, president of Hyndburn Chamber of Trade, said: "People need to be aware that if they are being offered cheap goods in a pub, it's unlikely to be a genuine offer.

"Over the last couple of years, the police have cut down the shoplifting but it does go on and it's something we need to be aware of."

To help, call Sergeant Porter on 01254 353702 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.