Offenders discover stolen motorcycle in Burnley bushes (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Offenders discover stolen motorcycle in Burnley bushes

3:56pm Friday 15th February 2013 in News By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

A GROUP of offenders turned detective when they found a stolen motorbike hidden in the bushes.

They were helping rejuvenate litter-strewn and overgrown side streets in Burnley whey made the discovery.

While working in partnership with Burnley Council strimming weeds, cutting grass and removing tonnes of rubbish from the rear of Harold Street, offenders uncovered a stolen 125cc motorbike.

The vehicle was handed over to Lancashire Police who subsequently reunited it with its owner.

Over the last few weeks the offenders, under the supervision of the Lancashire Probation Trust, have been rejuvenating the previously litter-strewn and overgrown back alleys behind Harold Street, Florence Street, Faraday Street and Cog Lane.

Lorraine Slater, community payback practice manager for Lancashire Probation Trust, said: “Working in partnership with Burnley Council allows us to provide a tough Community Payback punishment, while giving offenders the skills and work experience that can help them find employment and break the cycle of reoffending.”

Under the partnership, the offenders do not replace council employees, but instead complete additional work that would not normally be done and at the same time repay a debt to their community.

Coun Shah Hussain, Burnley Council’s executive member for community services, said the work undertaken by the offenders had proved invaluqable.

“Burnley Council is happy to support the work of the probation service in getting offenders to carry out work that benefits our communities.

“Offenders are working hard to tackle local hot spots identified by council staff with some very positive results.

“The scheme has been running for more than 12 months and has been extremely successful.”