CRIMINALS are thinking twice about hot-footing it with stolen goods after police recruited an international athlete to patrol a town centre beat.

PC Jason Lobo from Blackburn has been chosen for the British international squad for this summer's Commonwealth Games and would like nothing better than a practice run around Colne in pursuit of shoplifters and thieves.

He has represented his country in both the 800 and 1500 metres and was selected for the Sydney Olympics before being forced to pull out through injury.

But on his arrival in Colne this week, where he will be part of the geographical policing team, he has warned Pendle's shoplifters and pickpockets that he is now fit and raring to go.

Jason, 31, who lives with his wife in Blackburn, said: "I don't think they are any faster in Colne than anywhere else so I will be right behind them.

"Hopefully me working in Colne will be good for the police there and might be a little bit of a deterrent to those who think they can get away easily and might make them stop.

"The saying goes that you can run but you can't hide. I think now the saying will have to be you can hide but you can't run.

"I don't know what policing in Colne is like yet but obviously fitness is a key part in being a police officer so my training is not going to do me any harm in that respect.

"Most of the hard work as far as training for the Games goes has been done and it's just a case of keeping it ticking over.

"It is a bit hilly round Colne so it should help me out at the same time."

In 1998 he became British champion in the 800 metres and represented England in the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, reaching the semi-final.

In 1999 Jason finished second in the British 800 metres championships and also represented Britain in the European Championships in Seville.

Although Jason has been chosen for the Commonwealth Games squad he will have to wait until next month to hear whether he will actually be taking part.

He said: "I have just come back from training in South Africa with the England squad and the Games aren't until the end of August so they will be picking the final team in the middle of June.

"I have to start racing now and just prove my fitness and hopefully I will be selected."

His colleague PC Phil Davies said: "It's good to have him here and all I can say is that there won't be many people who can outrun him."