Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Sunday 27th April 2025 at 20:45hrs
In a significant breakthrough following a surge in vehicle-related crime across Hyndburn, local police have arrested and charged four men with going equipped to steal.
The Hyndburn Task Force, working alongside the Neighbourhood team, executed a proactive operation overnight, leading to the arrests in the early hours of this morning.
Responding to numerous reports from residents detailing thefts from vehicles and even vehicle thefts in recent weeks, officers intensified their presence in known hotspot areas.
Their efforts paid off at 00:47 today when a vehicle was stopped on Thwaites Road in Oswaldtwistle. Inside, officers discovered tools commonly used for cloning car keys and other implements believed to be intended for committing vehicle crime.
The four occupants of the vehicle were immediately arrested and taken into custody for questioning. Today, Lancashire Police announced that all four individuals have been charged with going equipped to steal:
* Vakas HUSSAIN, 35, of Browning Drive, Rotherham
* Bradley STENTON, 22, of Princess Street, Barnsley
* Thomas ATKINSON, 28, of Whitehall Road, Rotherham
* Umar KHAN, 29, of St Stephens Road, Rotherham
HUSSAIN, STENTON, and ATKINSON have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear before the next available court on Monday, April 28, 2025.
KHAN has been granted bail and is due to appear at Blackburn Magistrates Court on May 12, 2025, with a condition that he does not return to Lancashire in the interim.
This swift action by the Hyndburn Task Force demonstrates their commitment to addressing the concerns raised by local residents.
In a statement released earlier today, police emphasized their ongoing efforts to combat vehicle crime in the area and reiterated the importance of community cooperation.
“We will continue to tackle vehicle crime in Hyndburn, and we would encourage you to continue reporting any incidents to us so we can investigate,” the statement read.
As part of their preventative advice, police also urged residents to take simple security measures, particularly overnight.
“Please can we also remind you to lock your vehicles overnight, it’s easy to forget but it’s the first line in keeping your vehicle and possessions safe.”
This successful operation highlights the effectiveness of targeted policing and the vital role of community intelligence in tackling local crime.
The arrests will undoubtedly bring reassurance to residents across Hyndburn who have been affected by the recent rise in vehicle crime.
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