A FORMER mayor is being investigated for allegedly stealing from his employer.

Peter Steen, a former member of Rossendale’s community safety partnership, is alleged to have stolen from Rawtenstall Tesco.

Mr Steen, who is running for the seat of Irwell ward councillor in the council elections, which are due to be announced today, is alleged to have committed ‘minor thefts’ at the petrol station in Bocholt Way on a series of occasions.

Mr Steen, who works at the Tesco petrol station, said he was going into the store yesterday and confirmed Tesco was carrying out an internal investigation.

The former Strangeways prison officer from Bacup, who served as Irwell ward councillor on Rossendale Council for 13 years from 1998 to 2011, has admitted his employer is investigating the alleged thefts.

The police are not currently investigating the allegations.

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Mr Steen was the leader of Rossendale’s Conservative group from 2004 to 2005, when he resigned as council leader after claiming his workload had become too heavy.

The 66-year-old then went on to accept the role of the borough’s mayor in 2006, and serve as a county councillor from 2009 to 2013.

He said: “It is an ongoing investigation for several minor thefts and I won’t be commenting on this issue.”

A spokeswoman for Tesco said: “We are currently investigating an issue internally.”