POLICE pursued a man on a bike after a report of someone acting suspiciously in the Barden Lane area of Burnley at 6.15am.

Blackburn magistrates heard Christopher Horsfall was arrested after his bike and the police car collided.

And he fell foul of knife crime laws after a throwing knife was found amongst a number of items he had in connection with theft.

Horsfall, 26, of Heath Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to going equipped for theft with a multi-tool, a small torch and three screwdrivers and possessing a knife in a public place.

He was jailed for 21 weeks after the magistrates heard he had a previous conviction for possessing a bladed article in 2015.

Under knife crime laws the minimum sentence for a second offence is six months in prison.

Horsfall was given 20 per cent discount for his early guilty plea.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Horsfall tried to cycle away from the police but was knocked to the floor when he clipped the rear of the police car.

She said all the items were recovered from the pocket of his hoodie.

Mark Williams, defending, said his client had to accept the presence of the blade meant he fell foul of the two strike knife crime legislation.

"Under the new rules what you are doing with the bladed article is irrelevant," said Mr Williams.

"The blade was to be used for the same purpose as all the other items."