Two arrested on suspicion of attempted theft of Covid test kits in Lancashire

Two men – a 32-year-old man from Preston and a 29-yer-old man from Blackburn – have been arrested on suspicion of burglary, say police.

The arrests were made after officers were called to the Covid testing site at the Capitol Centre retail park in Walton-le-Dale on January 8.

Police said a man had arrived at the Covid testing centre claiming to be a staff member who needed to move a large amount of stock to a second site.

Staff at the testing centre said the man went to a building and attempted to remove quick testing kits, but was rumbled after being challenged by those running the site.

He fled empty-handed in a taxi, along with a second man, said NHS volunteers.

The attempted theft was reported to police and following enquiries, two men were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

They have since been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.