Thieves spotted wheeling stolen tumble dryer down street Leyland and wheel it away in a wheelbarrow

A 51-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of burglary after the tumble dryer was taken from a home in Balcarres Road, Leyland at around 4pm on Tuesday (July 5).

Neighbours called police after seeing a man and woman climb through the open windows of a conservatory. Minutes later, they staggered out of the property with a tumble dryer in their arms.

The pair were then seen trying to lift the hefty appliance into a wheelbarrow before wheeling it away.

Officers, acting on intelligence from the community, arrested two suspects who were taken into custody for questioning. The pair have since been released under investigation.

Police have not said whether the stolen tumble dryer was recovered and returned to the homeowner.

A spokesman for South Ribble Police said: “We have arrested two people after a tumble dryer was taken from a house in Leyland and wheeled away in a wheelbarrow.

“We were called to a house on Balcarres Road at around 4pm on Tuesday 5th July, to reports a man and a woman had been seen climbing through the open windows of a conservatory. Minutes later, they came out of the property with a tumble dryer.

“Intelligence from members of the public lead our officers to arrest a 51-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman on suspicion of burglary. They have since been released under investigation.”