Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of ten gas canisters from the side of a hardware store in Darwen.
Two men approached James Gibsons Ltd, on Warflex House, and reached through a metal cage to steal bottles of butane and propane gas. The theft took place at around 8.15pm on Wednesday, February 6.
The bottles are described as being red and yellow and are worth in the region of £300.
PC Anna Gavela said: “This offence happened in full view of a busy main road and leisure centre. The offenders went back three times to steal the canisters then walked along the street with them so It’s highly likely that someone saw the men but may not have realised they had stolen the bottles.
“I’d urge anybody with any information about the theft to come forward and call police on 101 quoting crime reference EA1301136.
“These canisters are highly flammable and should not be stored indoors. Anyone with information about their possible whereabouts should call police.”
Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org.