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£10,000 go-karts stolen in club raid

Alice McKeegan
2/ 5/2008

THIEVES put the brakes on a youth project after stealing go-karts and bikes.

Alternatives in Mind, based at the former Roller City building, Well i’th’ Lane, was ransacked on Tuesday night after raiders forced open metal shutters.

Five Honda-engined 160cc JB karts, worth in excess of £10,000, were taken, along with various tools, two mini-motos and a moto-cross bike.

Each kart has a silver chassis with black all round protection and are all stamped with JB Karts.

The equipment is used on courses which aim to provide training and practical support to young people at risk of offending.

Manager Graham Stephens was forced to close the centre on Wednesday as a result of the burglary, leaving staff and youths devastated.

He said: "It was a huge blow when I found out what had happened.

"It has taken me over a year to put this project together and it’s been a struggle.

"I’m not a businessman with lots of money, I did this because I genuinely want to help young people in Rochdale."

Mr Stephens is an experienced youth worker and started working in Rochdale last April.

Prior to that, he worked with Manchester’s multi-agency gang strategy and he hopes to replicate some of his success in Rochdale.

He’s been working with Rochdale Council and various youth workers and is determined not to let this setback stop his positive work.

He added: "When you put your heart and soul into something, it’s devastating when it’s taken away from you just like this.

"I just hope that the bikes and karts will be recovered and I would urge those responsible to do the right thing and return the equipment."

One of the karts was recovered on Thursday after being dumped under a bush across the way from the centre.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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