Fenland Council refuse collectors track down charity's stolen recording equipment

A COUNCIL'S refuse collectors turned detectives to help track down thousands of pounds worth of recording equipment belonging to a Fenland charity.

Fenland District Council's refuse team sprang into action after the equipment was taken along with a car belonging to Andrew Neve, technical manager of Wisbech Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

"I knew that whoever had taken the car would have no use for the equipment but they would also not know how much grief it would cause," said Mr Neve. "I guessed they would just dump it."

Mr Neve spoke to a crew collecting near his Gorefield home and they put out a radio message to other crews across the area.

"I couldn't believe it when I got a call from another crew saying they had found the boxes in a ditch in Gote Lane," said Mr Neve. "I went and collected them. I can't thank them enough."

Mr Neve had put newly serviced recorders in the car ready for a production session on Tuesday evening.

The police had found his car abandoned in Leverington but without the three large boxes on the back seat.

"We have no other equipment we could use and it would cost around �6,000 to replace it," he said

Crew member Steven Davey said: "We had got a message on the radio telling us about the boxes. One of the lads got out and saw the boxes in a ditch. We called Andrew and he came and collected them."

A council spokesman said: "We're absolutely delighted to have been able to help Mr Neve.

"Our refuse and recycling team are really committed and enthusiastic people who always do their best to look after their customers."

Refuse crews have, in the past, returned a dog to its owner and regularly return mobile phones that have been lost.