Police in Deepdale have arrested a man on suspicion of scrap metal theft after a clampdown in the area.

Officers targeted the area in the East of the city throughout the weekend after complaints about people stealing metal from yards and gardens.

One man was arrested after being found in a vehicle with £6,000 worth of copper.

Police visited scrap metal dealers and police have issued a warning to residents.

Sergeant Mike Sampson, neighbourhood police team, said: “Residents had told us that metal items have been stolen from outside their property and that they were also concerned that their homes were at risk of being burgled by these criminals. High visibility operations such as this one will do a lot to deter scrap metal thieves but we also need residents to let us know as soon as they spot someone acting suspiciously in their neighbourhood.

“Strangers looking over garden walls, or unknown vehicles circling the streets are all things that should be reported to us so that we can crack down on crime.”

During the checks on vehicles and patrols one man was given a summons for posession of cannabis, five motorists were given prohibition notices ordering them to fix faults on their vehicles and one vehicle was seized for having no insurance.

Anyone with information about scrap metal theft should contact police on 101. In an emergency always dial 999.