A BUMBLING thief can be seen taking a £1,000 mountain bike from a shop only to crash it moments later as he tried to escape.

The unsuspecting offender was caught on CCTV riding the bike through the front of Go Outdoors in Blackburn before he crashes into a post.

He then gets up and rides off with the orange Calliber Bossnut mountain bike from the store in Throstle Street.

Officers are now appealing for information following the incident on on Monday, July 9, at around 1.30pm.

A police spokesman said: "We received a report of a bike being stolen from Go Outdoors in Throstle Street.

"It's valued at £1,000 and was taken from the display area before the offender rides off with it."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference LC-20180709-1139.