Colne post boxes sealed up this weekend following key theft

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NINE post boxes in Colne have been sealed up after a set of keys was stolen.

The keys were taken out of the post box in Burnley Road, Colne, after the postman was distracted.

Royal Mail sealed the nine post boxes across the town to stop post being stolen as a result of the keys theft on Wednesday afternoon.

They will remain closed to the public for the rest of the weekend and are likely to be reopened on Monday.

Royal Mail spokeswoman Morag Turnbull said: “A set of collection keys were stolen in the Colne area on Wednesday evening.

“This has affected nine post boxes which were subsequently sealed. We hope to reopen the boxes on Monday once the locks have been changed.

“Royal Mail would like to apologise for any inconvenience experienced by our customers.”

The post boxes affected were in Burrell Avenue, at the Sainsbury’s store in Langroyd Road, at Asda in Corporation Street, outside the Skipton Road Post Office, in Burnley Road, Cross Street West, Alkincoats Road, Phillips Lane and Birtwistle Avenue.

The theft happened at 4.10pm on Wednesday.

Insp Phil Davies, of Pendle police, said: “It appears the postman has been emptying the box and has been distracted by a legitimate enquiry from a member of the public, at which point somebody has taken the keys from the box and run off.”

Police are continuing with enquiries.

Anybody with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.