A GROUP of men have been arrested following a spate of Land Rover thefts across East of Lancashire earlier this year.

The men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Land Rover Discoveries, Evoques and Defenders, all with keyless ignitions, were targeted in the spate of thefts, with more than 40 cars thought to have been stolen.

In some cases attempts to take cars failed. To date, six have been recovered.

It is thought the total value of the vehicles stolen could be more than £1million.

Three men from Blackburn, aged 19, 25 and 45, have been arrested and bailed until November 4.

A 31-year-old from Darwen has been bailed until September 24 and a 31-year-old from Accrington until November 4.

DS Zoe Russo from Burnley CID said: “We launched our investigation into these thefts earlier this year and have spent months following numerous lines of inquiry.

“These arrests come as part of the latest stage of the investigation and I would urge anyone with any further information about the thefts who has not come forward already to get in touch with us .”