MILKMEN and Lancashire's other early morning workers are being urged to help the police tackle a recent spate of caravan thefts.

Investigators said that caravans are often stolen early in the morning and people are being asked to be on the look-out for the mobile homes which are being towed by vehicles with different registration plates.

Special leaflets are being handed out to people such as milkmen and taxi drivers to ask them to look out for any suspicious activity.

Det Sgt Simon Ingham, from the serious and organised crime unit's stolen vehicle squad, said: "Caravans are normally stolen in the early hours of the morning which is why we're targeting people like milkmen and other early morning workers.

"We're asking them to look out for any suspicious behaviour where caravans are stored and also to look out for caravans which are being towed by vehicles containing one or more males.

"This is because ordinarily this type of offence is committed by men operating in small teams to disable security devices and quickly tow stolen caravans towards the motorway network.

"It's also worth noting that in some circumstances where a stolen caravan is recovered by people contacting the police in this way, they may receive a substantial reward."

He said that there has been a spate of the thefts across Lancashire recently which has prompted the warning.

Anybody who has any information regarding stolen caravans can contact police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.