A POLICE helicopter swooped on Rishton in a hunt for two men stealing paving stones.

The chopper was called to help officers chasing the men on Wednesday afternoon.

Officers were spotted in Talbot, Burton and Parker Street as the force helicopter buzzed overhead, and witnesses have described seeing police dogs joining in the hunt at around 1pm.

Mark Poulton said he saw a police car chasing somebody at the bottom of Parker Street.

And the helicopter was keeping tabs on a suspect running through pens towards Tottleworth.

Stone theft in Rishton has been a problem in recent months Local officers prioritising the issue after meeting with local residents.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said three people had been arrested.