A round-up of crime stories from across Lancashire
Appeal follows shop wig theft
A thief stole a wig from a mannequin at a city centre shop. The bizarre theft happened at the Ann Summers store in Fishergate, Preston. Police say the incident happened at around 2.30pm on Friday. It is believed a woman was seen wearing the wig a short time later outside the BHS premises. Call police on 101 with any information.
Presence at shops to stay
Police are to maintain a “visible presence” at shops in part of Preston, despite a drop in calls about nuisance behaviour. Anti-social problems around the Kidsgrove and Tanterton shops had been a major issue for local police. But beat officers say the number of calls has dropped and police cameras are now fully functional – but an increased presence will stay.
Gang causing fear on estate
Police are hunting a gang of youths said to be causing problems around the St George’s ward in Preston. Reports have been received of youths getting into the communal buildings on Craggs Row, causing criminal damage and also causing problems at shops on Moor Lane and Adelphi Street. They are also loitering on Strettles Car Park being rowdy and shouting at passers by.
Hi-vis patrols around Mill
Community police officers are moving on youths around the Tulketh area of Preston. A number of high-visibility patrols have been conducted around the Tulketh Mill area, particularly around Howarth Road, Inkerman Street and Belmont Road
Unmarked car for bike thefts
Police are using an unmarked car to patrol part of Preston after reports of a number of bike thefts from garages. There has been a number of garage and shed break-ins and good quality bicycles stolen across the Cadley and Greyfriars areas of the city.
Police hunt for phone thieves
Police are hunting three men after a white Samsung Galaxy S3 phone was stolen from the EE store in Fishergate, Preston. The incident happened at around 4.30pm on Saturday. Officers believe the theft may be linked to another at the O2 store in Fishergate on the same day.
Bedding taken by shoplifter
Six packs of bedding were taken from the Poundstretcher store in Corporation Street, Preston. The thief struck at around 2.20pm on Saturday, according to police. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.
Pedal cycle is stolen in street
Thieves cut the lock from a pedal cycle and stole it. The £100 red ladies’ mountain bike was taken from outside a store on Corporation Street, Preston. The incident happened between 10pm on Saturday and 12.45am on Sunday.
Thief breaks in for £10 cable
The rear window of a Peugeot 107 car was smashed and the driver’s side lock barrelled out by thieves who then stole a £10 auxiliary cable for an iPhone. It happened sometime after 9.30pm on Friday.
Yobs scratch side of vehicle
Vandals put a huge scratch in the side of a car. It happened in Great George Street, Preston, between 6.15pm and 6.45pm on Thursday. The scratch was put in the side of a black Audi A3 car.
Bicycle taken using cutters
A thief used bolt cutters to steal a bike locked to a rack outside a university building. Police said the bike was locked in two places to the rack outside the UCLan building in Library Street, St Peter’s Square, Preston, when a thief struck at around 2.45pm on January 2. It was a grey Carrera Kraken with Lizardskin protectors, a Rock Shack Funn saddle and Michelin race tyres.
Shoplifter took shaving gel
A shoplifter stole six Gilette shaving gel cans from a shop in Preston city centre. The man took £12 of shaving gel from Grahams Toiletries in the Guild Hall Arcade in Lancaster Road at around 10.15am on January 2. He was white, around 40-years-old, 5ft 8ins, slim, with short, dark, greying hair and wearing a black jacket.