Police in Craven are issuing a warning to travelling criminals to keep out of the area.

The warning follows the arrest of three men, aged 44, 45 and 47, from Bolton, on suspicion of stealing bottles of spirits from the Co-op store in Settle on Sunday, January 22, at about 12.35pm.

The men were arrested a short time later in Settle.

They were later released on bail to allow further inquiries to be carried out.

It is believed that the men had travelled from Bolton earlier in the day in a white Ford Transit van Prior to visiting Settle, the men are believed to have visited a Co-op store in Caton and the Three Peaks Service Station, Ingleton, where they are suspected of shoplifting offences.

PC Steve O’Brien, of Settle Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who has information or may have seen a Transit van being driven in a suspicious manner on the day.”

And he added: “I have a very simple message for anyone intending to travel into the county to commit crime: don’t. North Yorkshire has the lowest crime rate in England and we intend to keep it that way. Anyone caught committing offences will be dealt with robustly and can expect to be put before the courts.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Settle police office on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting reference number 12120011307.