Police are searching for nine cars after a police dog helped them to track down of of three suspects following a 15-car raid on a Blackburn car retailer’s forecourt.

An Audi A4 S-line, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Nissan Micra, Vauxhall Zafira, Honda Jazz, Honda CR-V,Skoda Superb, Toyota Aygo, Toyota Prius, Vauxhall Corsa and a Seat Alhambra were all stolen from Discount Tyres, in Harrison Street, in a raid which happened between 9pm last Wednesday and 8.45am on Thursday.

Sgt Shelley Parker told the Lancashire Telegraph that six of the 15 cars had been recovered by officers and investigations are taking place to find the remaining nine.

Local business owners said that they had been confused by the extent of the raid, which left the forecourt “looking empty”.

Onn the night of the raid police made a series of arrests.

At around 11am on Thursday, the Golf GTI was noticed by officers who pursued the car to Hardman Street in the town, the Telegraph reported.

A 43-year-old man, and a 41-year-old woman from Preston was arrested at around noon on suspicion of dangerous driving, drug driving and burglary.

Two people were alleged to have ran away from the car but a police dog found one man laid down in a nearby garden.

The Vauxhall Zafira was subsequently found and a 29-year-old man, from Preston, was arrested on suspicion of the same offences.

The Telegraph reported that all three men had been released pending further investigation.