A POLICEMAN was threatened with an iron bar after catching thieves trying to steal a Land Rover at a Chorley beauty spot.

The owner returned to his car in Rivington Lane, Rivington, at 1pm on Sunday, February 2, to find two men sitting in the front.

When challenged, they claimed his Land Rover had been broken into and they were minding it for him because it was insecure.

They than sped away in a white Ford car but were stopped by a plain-clothed policeman in an unmarked car who had been watching the area which is renowned for car theft.

They threatened the policeman with an iron bar, throwing a large spanner at the car before racing off towards Adlington.

Police chased them for a short distance. Detective Constable Richard Booth, of Wheelton CID, said: "The man was driving very, very dangerously. We did follow him for a while, but he was speeding down the wrong side of the road and so we decided to pull up in the interests of public safety."

There were five other crimes in the vicinity at the time of the attack and police believe the same men may be involved. Anyone with information should call 01257-246135.