Steering wheels and dashboards are the latest items to be stolen from expensive vehicles in a bizarre new car theft craze.

Police have released CCTV images of the culprits and issued a warning to BMW drivers after a number of cars were broken into on June 4 between 2am and 4am.

A spokesperson for the police said: "South Ribble Police are continuing to investigate a number of vehicle crimes involving the theft of BMW steering wheels and dashboards in the Wigan Road area of Leyland.

"Officers have gathered CCTV which shows the suspects involved.

"These offences occurred between 2am and 4am on Thursday.

"Police are continuing to patrol these areas to deter/detect related crime to reassure the residents.

"If you are worried that your vehicle may be a target of this crime an old-style steering lock, which passes across the centre of the steering wheel or covers it completely, may provide a deterrent."

Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to contact the police on 101 and quote log number 0186 of June 4.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.