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 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.

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"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)

Crease2000 says...
12:04pm Wed 31 Oct 12

It amazes me in this day and age of technology that we still can't provide a decent quality of CCTV. Even TV shows like Crimewatch ask us if we can identify a person by a blurred blob on a screen.

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GR-London says...
12:20pm Wed 31 Oct 12

It is one of the lowest things that you can do to someone - steal the tools they use to earn a living.

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.

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QPR4Me says...
1:30pm Wed 31 Oct 12

The police are always askng for our help. However, they seem to have forgotten that it's a two-way street. They need to help us when we ask. The same thing happen when my daughters Ipod was stolen. The police were given everything they needed to investigate but never bothered to get off their fat backsides. No wonder that people don't bother with these clowns anymore.

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zx5000 says...
2:16pm Wed 31 Oct 12

Yes the police should help when asked but they can't work miracles. If the video is not good enough quality to make out anybodys face or their registration number then what more can be done? Yes the video shows the offence but if the suspects can't be identified because the quality is so poor then what more can be done??? Some people need to be more realistic.

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janee says...
2:36pm Wed 31 Oct 12

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.

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janee says...
2:44pm Wed 31 Oct 12

Just to follow up: in the year to September 2011 immigration minus emigration was accounted for by the number of students arriving to study - this, of course, gives the UK a substantial income and does not contribute to permanent population figures.

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Lucky penny says...
2:53pm Wed 31 Oct 12

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.

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GR-London says...
5:52pm Wed 31 Oct 12

janee wrote:
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.
I won't bother to try and defend my post, other than to say; read it again and engage your brain.

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Toccss says...
9:18am Thu 1 Nov 12

Lucky penny wrote:
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.
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.

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Lucky penny says...
9:24am Thu 1 Nov 12

Toccss wrote:
Lucky penny wrote:
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.
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.
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?

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Michael Pantlin says...
9:51am Thu 1 Nov 12

I hope someone knows something and shops these thieving buzzards. Would marking all tools with SmartWater impede their resale?

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scbpjb says...
2:16pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Michael Pantlin wrote:
I hope someone knows something and shops these thieving buzzards. Would marking all tools with SmartWater impede their resale?
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!!
Simply left us with a higher insurance bill. Living in Britain is no longer fair.

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