Shock after Blackburn cafe burglars stole model motorbike (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Shock after Blackburn cafe burglars stole model motorbike

9:14am Wednesday 15th August 2012 in News By Dan Clough, Reporter

THIEVES broke into the rear smoking area of a town centre cafe to steal items including a model Harley Davidson motorbike.

Twins Christine Hartley-Pickup and Jacqueline Hartley-Barnes were shocked to find the items missing when they opened up Hartley’s cafe in Northgate, Blackburn, on Monday.

As well as the model bike, which is thought to be rare and has a rider on it and the word ‘Izzy’ down the side, wind chimes, chandeliers and a pair of stepladders were also taken.

The cafe has an outdoor smoking area to the back, which is accessible by an alleyway.

Joint owner Christine said: “I just don’t know why they would want to steal these things.

“We have had the smoking area like this for four years and nothing has gone, not even an ashtray.

“There must have been at least two of them and they have probably driven round the back in a car or a van. They climbed over the wall using two planters which we found knocked over. We’ve told the police and also spoken to Greenbank who said they will look at the CCTV cameras.”

The cafe closed at 4pm on Saturday and the missing items were discovered at 7am on Monday.

All the items stolen were of little financial value, most having been found in skips and restored by the sisters.

The pair have been in business together for more than 15 years, since they opened Hartley’s.

They sold the cafe to retire, but decided to open a new cafe in Market Street, Darwen, called CJ’s. Having decided to sell up four years ago, again to retire, the former Hartley’s came on the market and the sisters couldn’t resist it.

The twins have vowed not to let this incident stop them.

Christine said: “We will keep this going. If the person who took our Harley, or someone who knows them, is reading this please bring it back.”

Police confirmed they were investigating the incident.