A STOLEN motorbike is to be returned to its rightful owner after being spotted hidden in a park.

Officers from Cheshire Police have been on patrol in and around Sankey Valley Park recently to clamp down on bike crime.

It comes following a series of reports of the theft of motorbikes in the vicinity, with a member of the public spotting the bike and reporting it to the police.

Officers were able to confirm that it had been stolen, with work commencing to reunite it with its owner.

The force’s Westbrook Police team said: “Due to the theft of motorbikes in the west Warrington area, officers in uniform and plain clothes have been on patrol in the Sankey Valley Park area.

“They have been targeting areas where bikes have been seen to be used by criminals.

“Thanks to a member of public who alerted us to a bike hidden in a wooded area, we were able to check it and discover it had been reported stolen.

“It has now been recovered and the rightful owner will be notified.”