VIDEO: CCTV shows thieves make off with £3,000 worth of plumber's tools in Southfields
10:00am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By Alexandra Rucki
Plumber Michael McClusky had £3,000 worth of tools stolen
A self-employed plumber has lost his business after thieves made off with £3,000 worth of tools.
Michael McClusky, 50, was visiting his parents in Elsenham Street, Southfields, on October 19, when two men broke into his van.
CCTV footage, taken from his brother's shop nearby in Revelstoke Road, was provided to police which shows the two men executing the theft, but despite this evidence police dropped the case within 24 hours, claiming the film was insufficient to pursue legal action.
An email sent to Mr McClusky said: "Once again I am sorry that you have become a victim of crime. I would like to re-emphasise that the specific investigation into your crime is now closed."
The CCTV images show one man breaking into the front of the van, while another waits in a car.
A passer-by can also be seen when he first breaks into the van.
Mr McClusky, of Burnham Drive, Worcester Park, built the tool collection up since 1980 and says the loss means he can no longer run his business McCluskey Plumbing and Heating.
He said: "Obviously I am not happy about it, it is not good enough. I am so fed-up with the police.
"Their attitude is they won't bother if you've got the insurance, I haven't got £3,000 worth of insurance.
"I'm not going to get my tools back but I do want to get this person. I'm going to prosecute them if I can. I'm fed up to the back teeth."
A spokesperson for the police said: "An allegation of theft of tools from a parked van in Elsenham Street SW18 was made to police on October 19.
"CCTV footage of the incident was viewed by officers but unfortunately this was not of sufficient quality to identify the suspects or the vehicle they used.
"Details of the offence are maintained on the police system should any further evidence come to light which may identify the offenders."
Comments(12)
GR-London
says...
12:20pm Wed 31 Oct 12
It really makes me sad to live in a country where we have to breathe the same air as such low-life scum.
As this country becomes more and more overpopulated with no immigration controls and a lack of jobs to go around I can see crimes like this on the increase.
The politicians have failed us.
QPR4Me
says...
1:30pm Wed 31 Oct 12
zx5000
says...
2:16pm Wed 31 Oct 12
janee
says...
2:36pm Wed 31 Oct 12
I am a bit surprised that the video cannot be enhanced to get the registration number of the car.
janee
says...
2:44pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Lucky penny
says...
2:53pm Wed 31 Oct 12
GR-London
says...
5:52pm Wed 31 Oct 12
janee wrote:I won't bother to try and defend my post, other than to say; read it again and engage your brain.
GR: What on earth has it got to do with immigration? Don't let racism cloud the fact that these were two men acting immorally.
I am a bit surprised that the video cannot be enhanced to get the registration number of the car.
Toccss
says...
9:18am Thu 1 Nov 12
Lucky penny wrote:If you can get hold of the actual footage i might be able to clear it up, tried using the clip from here but its far to pixelated.
Hi, this is my Dad that this happened too. Regarding the CCTV footage the copy that the Guardian have used was filmed using an iphone off the computer as the orginal copy was sent to the police. The orginal CCTV is even clearer.
Lucky penny
says...
9:24am Thu 1 Nov 12
Toccss wrote:We got told by police that they would send us our copy back but nothing yet. I have another filming that was recorded off of another phone which is a bit better than my shaking hand recording I could try and send that if is any better? Do you work for an editing company?
Lucky penny wrote:If you can get hold of the actual footage i might be able to clear it up, tried using the clip from here but its far to pixelated.
Hi, this is my Dad that this happened too. Regarding the CCTV footage the copy that the Guardian have used was filmed using an iphone off the computer as the orginal copy was sent to the police. The orginal CCTV is even clearer.
Michael Pantlin
says...
9:51am Thu 1 Nov 12
scbpjb
says...
2:16pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Michael Pantlin wrote:My husband had the same type of theft from his van in Sutton. He caught the man red handied cherry picking his tools from his van. Wearing a high vis vest. Its organised crime and the police are simply not interested. He had a full description, CCTV and the registration number - the police were called and appeared very positive but like you the case was dropped by the weekend. As we had heard nothing, we chased them up and our case had already been sent to the Mets central filing and closed!!
I hope someone knows something and shops these thieving buzzards. Would marking all tools with SmartWater impede their resale?
Simply left us with a higher insurance bill. Living in Britain is no longer fair.
Crease2000 says...
12:04pm Wed 31 Oct 12