A GANG of thieves - believed to be responsible for a string of high school break-ins across Pendle and North Yorkshire - has been identified by police in Colne.

Raiders are thought to have targeted schools in Colne and Skipton during the school holidays, escaping with computers worth thousands of pounds.

But Colne police have arrested two men from Skipton, in relation to the break-ins, and are hopeful that further arrests will follow as the result of ongoing investigations.

Sgt Andy Cartwright said: "We believe that these men have been targetting high schools in order to steal hi-tech equipment in both Lancashire and North Yorkshire.

"We would appeal to anyone who seen anything suspicious, in and around schools, in the area, to come forward and assist with our enquiries."

The schools have been burgled from the start of the half-term holidays, beginning with an incident at Park High School, in Venables Avenue, between 10pm and 11pm on May 23, when two Dell computers, worth £1,000, were taken.

Two further raids at the school have also been reported, including a second which saw computers valued at £2,000 stolen.

In the most recent incident, on May 30, between 9.30pm and 10.30pm, four desktop computers, again worth around £2,000, were removed from the premises.

Police suspect that the same thieves could also be responsible for another incident at West Craven Technology College, between May 23 and 26.

The Kelbrook Road school was broken into over the weekend and although minor damage was caused, nothing is believed to have been stolen.

Sgt Cartwright said officers had been liaising with their colleagues from North Yorkshire Police, and it was thought that the gang may be responsible for a string of similar incidents in the Skipton area.

People with any information are asked to call Colne police on 01282 425001 or the Crimestoppers hotline, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.