Episode 7 Crimewatch Roadshow

Today. A terrifying ordeal for young family. And an elderly woman.

Held hostage by two masked men. Can Hello there and welcome to today's

Crimewatch Roadshow. We're live and on air for the next three weeks

asking for your help to clear up those everyday crimes that affect

us all. Like the large theft of second hand clothes destined for

charities. More on that later. Also on the programme today. We reveal

of the metal thieves latest target, catalytic converters. This

charities minibuses have been targeted three times. We put the

sniffer dogs to the test. Can they tracked down a woman carrying

explosives at Gatwick Airport? And we are asking for your help to find

two masked men who subjected a young family and a pensioner to a

terrifying ordeal at knife point. As ever, the roadshow team is out

and about with police forces across the country. We're still in Sussex

and we're at the police HQ. Dave, what's going on there? Hi there,

Rav. Today we're at the contact centre in Lewes and the calls are

coming in thick and fast. We will find it how they deal with the

public a bit later. We will discover how time-wasters can make

their jobs extra difficult. We are joined out on the road by a Colin

Campbell. Yes, I'm finding out all about catalytic converters and how

metal thieves are now targetting this specific car part. We'll be

telling you what you can do to protect your car. First though. A

shocking crime that took place in Hayward's Heath which is a small

town around 10 miles from here. Just eight weeks ago, in two flats

above a jewellers shop, a young family and an elderly woman were

asleep. Outside, two masked men It was almost midnight on April

28th this year. In the flat above the estuary as the shop this couple

were fast asleep. We went to bed early. My daughter was not a very

well and my wife had to go to work early. Next door, their neighbour

was also sleeping. Unaware that a terrifying ordeal lay ahead. A few

minutes later, he was woken by banging on the door. I wake up and

through the window I saw two people standing up downstairs. He went to

investigate but as he reached the door, it crashed open throwing into

the floor. They put a knife to his throat. They knew what they were

looking for. He just asked me, give me the key. He said the jewellery

shop downstairs. I said we don't have a key and he said, if you like

to me, I will snappy. They believed the jewellery shop owner lived

above the shop which is why they targeted the flats. They pushed him

into the bedroom waiting his wife and two young daughters. They kept

asking the family for the keys. down and be quiet. When they put

the knife on my neck and I felt it on my skin, at that time, I was

just saying, God, I'm going. I need the keys to the shop. They refused

to believe he was not a shop owner. The family feared for their lives.

I'm going to stab you. I thought it was the end for us. So maybe I lost

my life, my wife. They eventually forced him to admit that his

neighbour might know more. The old woman next door might know. The raw

but broke into the old lady's flat. -- Robert. She was forced into a

neighbour's living room at knifepoint. She admitted she had

the jurors number but it was in her flat next door -- jeweller. Once

they had the victims in one flat, they moved them to the second flat.

To try to find the number with which they could contact the owner.

It was a prolonged and terrifying experience for the victims. They

forced the old lady to pretend the alarm was going off in the shop

downstairs. They were determined to bring the owner into a trap.

you come over here as quickly as possible? As he set out on a 40

minute drive to his shop, for the hostages, an agonising wait began.

How terrifying. And you can find out what happened next later in the

programme. This is our seventh programme on air. It's been busy so

far so time for a quick progress report on our appeals. Yesterday we

show due Stephen Brown who was arrested in May 2010 on suspicion

of breaching a sexual offences prevention order and was released

on bail but then went on the run. A few of you phoned up with possible

sightings and police are now following a potential new leads.

Also yesterday, we featured a hit and run in Eastbourne with a young

pregnant woman was injured by a car like this. Police are following up

some interesting new information there. And do you phoned with some

specific details after we showed you CCTV of a man of stealing

cosmetics from Hampshire. Police are looking into that information

as we speak, so thank you. We will keep you updated with any

development but keep your information coming in because they

really do make a difference. Now over to Dave with an appeal for

help to track down a very busy thief. Yes, Rav. Detectives want to

bring to book a man who has become a one-man crime wave. He's believed

to be involved in dozens of incidents of theft. And it seems

he's a huge fan of Wickes do it yourself stores throughout the

South East of England. Police say he goes into a store, selects some

goods which are usually kitchen units believe or not. He then goes

to the counter, pretends he's bought them on a previous visit and

asks for a refund. Sometimes in cash and sometimes on a credit card.

Police think he's done it 36 times. Let's have a look at the CCTV of

one of his shopping trips. Here he is going into the Wickes store in

Kettering on 18th December last year. Out of sight of the CCTV

camera he selects some kitchen units before he approaches the

cashier and tells her that he's returning items and wants a refund.

When the cashier asks the suspect if he has a receipt for the items

he simply tells her he's lost it. The cashier believes him and hands

over a refund for �304. PC Richard Valder-Davis from Sussex Police is

leading this investigation. He is prolific, isn't he? Yes, very

convincing. The staff don't even know he is committing a fraud, a

confident chap, and we need to catch him. �9,000 worth of stock so

far? He seems to go at Christmas? Yes, the stories busy, the staff

are not concentrating so much on him and he is so convincing that

he's managed to defraud them. see from the list I have got here,

he has done shops in Eastbourne and Worthing, so he is a busy boy,

potentially. We have more CCTV where we can see more of his face.

Here he is before he pulled the same stunt at the Chippenham branch

of Wickes this year. We can get a really good look of him. He's 5 ft

8 tall, between 40 and 50 years of age. An untidy complexion. Stubble.

He wears a flat cap and sometimes a scarf. A reasonably good

description. Thanks very much indeed. If you recognise him, give

us a call now. You should know our number by now. 08000 468 999. Rav,

back to you. Thanks, Dave. Right, time for some CCTV and study these

very carefully because the police need your help. Warmsworth last day

and a man walks into a branch of HSBC. He sits next to a nine-year-

old boy and starts chatting to him about his telephone. After a few

minutes, the child hands the phone to the man and he goes outside

seemingly to get a better signal but then he steals it. Come on,

help police catch this cruel thief. February this year, the ocean

retail park in Portsmouth. This lady comes into the store and it

must be cold out there because the next thing, she is leaving the

store carrying two big-hitters, making no attempt to pay for them,

not exactly inconspicuous. Get in touch if you know her. This next

one is a good reminder to always lock your car. It is Greenwich in

London, November last year. The victim has left her handbag in the

front seat of her car while she pops into the shop. And a thief

sees his chance and grabs her handbag before running down the

street. Someone out there must recognise this sneaky bag snatcher.

Now those are just the kind of crimes that are happening up and

down the country. If you have any information about anything you've

seen, then get in touch. The number to call, 08000 468 999. Or text us

on 63399. Text CW, space and then your message. And please, leave the

space or your message won't get through to us. Or, email us.

[email protected]. Now back to Colin in Lewes. Just over 40 miles north of

here is Gatwick Airport. It's the biggest single runway airport in

the world. It's a major gateway into the UK and protecting the

public against terrorism is a huge task. And one that relies not just

on highly trained officers, but on a crack team of dogs too.

With 33 million people travelling through Gatwick Airport every year,

keeping everyone say it is a major challenge. -- safe is a major

challenge. Good morning, listen up. It is 6am and they are coming on

duty. Today they will be deployed in the north terminal where they

will work in partnership with its port security staff. On duty, too,

are these search dogs. Their role, with their two handlers, is to

detect explosives. This labrador it is pioneering a new technique

developed by the police at Gatwick for detecting passengers carrying

explosives. While he is deployed inside the terminal, the other one

It is 7am and today they have been deployed to the north terminal and

right now they are carrying out road checks. She is looking for

explosives or traces on the vehicle. She just uses her sense of smell

and we will check the vehicle, underneath it, the edges, and the

This time, nothing is found but the dogs can detect a wide range of

Meanwhile, in the terminal building, the armed officers on patrol.

are basically providing a safe environment for the passengers

coming through the airport. Our role is to secured the airport and

make a hostile environment for terrorism and make sure people can

go through their day-to-day business with no issues. We don't

want to be seen as people to be feared and we want to be

approachable but obviously, we also want to put that clear message out

that don't come to Gatwick if you are a terrorist. It's one of the

most difficult tasks, they have got to maintain a sense of

approachability but also showing the fact that they are well-

equipped to deal with what might be the most challenging and difficult

situations British police officers have to face, dealing with an armed

terrorist. Whilst the officers are regularly briefed with the latest

intelligence, keeping the dogs motivated is more difficult.

training of the docks takes place redly. Springer spaniels are

proactive dogs, so they will search luggage, bags, and if they need to

search the rooms and premises, that's what they will do. Small

dogs are very active and the other dogs are labradors, slightly bigger,

taller, used for screening people, screening the air around the people

walking through the airport. So, to keep them on their toes, every now

and again, as to which will be sent through the terminal to test them.

Today, Diana is carrying traces of explosives. I have got a

contaminated sample in the bag and its for the dogs to be trained on,

so they get a hit within the airport environment they work on.

What should happen, hopefully, the dog will indicate on the back as

That search has paid off. She has a reward - her favourite tennis ball.

Now it is time to test the skill of Paddy and prove his passive

approach is just as effective. Any minute now, she will be walking in

this direction. Let's see if Paddy Paddy did very well. He found what

he was meant to find. He acted in the way he was meant to act. He

followed the person. He sat down. That is what he has been trained to

do. The morning rush has tailed off. The police work goes on. These

officers and their dogs have another few hours on duty. They

keep a watchful eye on everyone passing through the airport. That

is how Sussex Police are looking after Gatwick Airport. What about

holidaymakers? Had to they minimise the risk of becoming a victim? --

how do they minimise? What precautions should they take?

a month to go before the holidays start, consider if your home is

secured enough. Do you need to do something about locks on windows

and doors? All you need is your name and your e-mail address on

your suitcases. That will allow them to track queue if needs be. Do

not advertise the fact you are away. -- track you. Fit automatic timers

so the lights go on and off. Consider a neighbour getting in to

make it look as though the place is lived in. If you're getting a cab

to the airport, you might not want to say you were going to India for

a few months because you do not know who will over here a

conversation. Follow up all the major airports to find up what is

going on on Twitter. -- find out. You might as well send an e-mail to

a local burglar inviting them to come in and find out what else they

can discover on Facebook. I have not tweeted the fact I am spending

the day it in Sussex, so nobody knows I am here. We're now on our

holidays in an exotic location. What is the advice? When you have

just arrived, you are at your most vulnerable. Villain's name rather

soft target. When you are in a crime hotspot, be very aware of

your surroundings. Do not take your eye off your possessions for a

moment or you could find to have been a victim of crime before you

have the right at your hotel. arrived. Useful advice there. Still

to come on the Roadshow this morning: More on the terrifying

robbery where four people were held at knifepoint. Sussex Police need

your help to track them down. The speedy metal thieves, stealing a

valuable part of your exhaust can take them less than two minutes.

But first it's time to take a look at today's Wanted Faces. First up,

52-year old James Fielder. He was arrested and bailed in September

2010 in connection with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and

handling stolen property, but went on the run. Fielder is tall six

foot 6 inches and has a strong South East accent. He sometimes has

long hair tied back in a ponytail. He is known to have strong

connections in Thailand but also in Devon and West London. If you know

where he is now, get in touch. 23- year-old Mohammed Ahmed Aden is our

He was sentenced to two years in prison for robbery, but didn't turn

up in court for sentencing. He's been on the run ever since. He's

described as having a Somalian accent and has connections to the

Leicester and London areas. Do you recognise him? Next, take a close

look at this man, Gary Howard. Detectives in Cambridgeshire want

to talk to him in connection with conspiracy to defraud a large

number of elderly and vulnerable people. He speaks with a London

accent and is known to have connections to the Cambridgeshire,

Essex and Bristol areas, but he could be anywhere in the country.

And this man, Quehen Ha is our last wanted face today. Officers in

Leicestershire want to speak to him in connection with the production

of a �100,000 worth of cannabis. He has connections to the Leicester,

Nottingham and Durham areas and is fluent in both Chinese and

Vietnamese. If you have any information about him, or any of

our wanted faces today, get in touch on this number. Or text us.

Text CW, space, and then your message. And please, leave the

space or your message won't get Thanks, Rav. Now we're in Sussex

Police HQ's contact centre in Lewes. Now we should stress that the staff

here don't deal with 999 calls. But, with the 101 service, that's the

number for non-urgent calls for all forces in England and Wales. You're

the deputy manager. On average, we get 1,625 calls a day and over a

year it works out at around 230,000 calls a year. What is the

difference between phoning 999 and 101? 999 is for emergencies. We're

talking about threats to life or a road traffic accident. All other

inquiries go to be 101 number. were telling me you have been

getting a lot of calls about social media issues. We handle calls about

cyberbullying, which we take seriously. We work with media

networks to try to resolve some of the issues. We advise people to

have privacy accounts set to private. We have got a lot more

good buys around that on the website. You take that very

seriously. -- good advice. something has upset you on social

media, contact the media websites to begin with. We're there to

become more serious issues. You do get time-wasters. What do people

ring you about? We get calls from people who have run out of credit

on mobile phones. They tried to you first as a message service. Also

calls from people who have been locked out of houses and cars.

is their personal service. Thank you very much. You have been on

this for five years. What is the most ridiculous call? Someone who

has had a night out, runs out of money, misses the train in cannot

get home, so it asks if a police car can drop them off. We advise

that is not what the police service is for. Thank you very much indeed.

Now it is time to go back to the appalling hostage-taking in

Haywards Heath. Sussex Police want help to track down two mast men who

held a girl and a 79-year-old woman hostage. Masked men broke into two

flats above the jewellers in Haywards Heath. They eat it four

people hostage. The two men believed to the owner of the

jewellery shop lived in a flat over the shop. When they found that the

owner lived elsewhere, they help the young family and elderly

neighbour hostage. -- held. The elderly woman was forced to ring

the owner and come to the shop because the alarm was going off.

all thought it was the end for us. In Eastbourne, the jeweller and his

wife were puzzled by the phone call. When we got a phone call to save

the alarm had gone off, I thought it was a waste of time to come in.

Normally the police would telephone us. I thought it was a false alarm.

Once the call was made, the intruders were more tense. They

asked questions about the shop owner. The fact there two

offenders' asked about the owner of the shop before he got there,

showed their violent content. After a drive of 40 minutes, Russell and

his wife arrived at the shock to discover the alarm had not gone off.

There was no alarm going off. The shop owner called to say he was

going home. That was not good enough for the robbers. My wife

went to the door. There would two chaps with knives on the one of the

Terrence throats. Russell, Russell! Russell reacted without thinking

Russell, look out! Thanks to his actions, the two miles ran off.

men ran off. They work in our house with a knife, they are going to

kill us. -- they are in our house. Although Russell fought off the two

robbers, it came at a price. He is injured on his Herms. -- hand. I

had severed tendons on my fingers. They seem to have reattached them

and I have certain movement in my fingers on my right hand. I need

the movement in my right hand. That was concerning. This is a

despicable crime. It is disgusting what the young family and elderly

lady have been put through. We were thinking it was the end for us.

am joined by DS Glenn Wilcox, who is leading on this case. What have

you got to go on? It is a horrific attack. We have the description of

the two men. They were wearing dark clothing. One is said to have a

satchel, a rucksack across their back. They were wearing face covers.

Any clues as to where they might be from? The robbers did not speak in

a particular accent. When speaking to the elderly lady, they said they

were in the sticks so it is possible they are from another

locality other than Haywards Heath. As soon as a robber entered the

front door, he struck them Mantoux the face. -- struck the man. While

struggling with the knife, he has drawn blood on his hand. It is

likely the robber has his blood on his clothing. During the robbery

�150 was taken. Two mobile phones have not been recovered. There was

a dark handled kitchen knife taken from the premises. You have to

catch them because they could do it again. They could. Haywards Heath

is a safe area and this is an isolated incident. You have some

clues. Do you know somebody with an unexplained bruise on his face all

came in with blood on his clothing? You know the right thing to do. The

That's a really awful crime. Remember if you do want to make a

call anonymously you can call Crimestoppers. 0800 555 111. Now

time for some more crime caught on camera which police across the UK

A general store in north London in January this year. Two customers

walk in and at first it looks like they have come in to fill some

forms. Fast-forward 20 minutes and they are still there. The cash till

is open and one man just can't help himself. He sees an opportunity to

grab the cash for the whilst the shopkeeper restrains his mate, he

gets away with almost �300. Talk about easy money. If you know him,

A group of people walking to a news agent in Leicester in February this

year. They start talking to a shopkeeper while one of them sneaks

into the backroom. The camera picks her up searching the room and

trying to open the safe but when the assistant follows hair, the

woman leaves empty-handed. If you know this backroom a burglar, get

in touch. Newport, South Wales, a garage forecourt, March this year

and it looks like these men have no intention of paying. The number

plates have been stolen from another car. It's nearly �70 worth

of unleaded petrol and they simply drive off without paying. Come on,

it's expensive for all of us, don't let them get away with it. Remember

if you know anything about those crimes, give us a ring. News now on

how charities are being hit really hard by thieves who are after a

surprisingly valuable commoditiy - second hand clothes. The price of

old clothing has rocketed over the past few years. It can now be sold

for around �1,000 a tonne abroad which means of course that the

clothes are highly desirable to criminals. Now John Jones's company

is working with a national charity to stopping clothes being stolen.

John, tell us about the problem you've been dealing with? It clear

that the problem is being perpetrated by organised crime gang

as thread the OK and the work we have done indicate that vast

quantities are being taken. We are talking about �50 million a year

which this is costing, so it's huge. It's a good estimate. It's not just

bags but they are actually stealing skips of these clothes. Yes, there

is evidence the clothing banks which belongs to the charities are

being taken for the contents are being stolen and the banks are

being scrapped for the metal. the very least, these charities are

massively out of pocket when people are trying to raise a valuable

money. And the criminals are benefiting financially from this.

Absolutely, we are working very hard to try and increase the

revenue that charities can earn from the clothing they deserve.

You're taking a proactive response to this. We have some clothing

which has been marked with an invisible dye you can put on the

clothing. This clothing has not been marked and I want to show

people at home how you can test for this. If we can just a dim the

lights slightly. Shine your special light on that and it does not show

anything at all. Now, if we show what is inside this bag, here, have

a look now. Shine your light on that. Bright green. It has been

treated with a unique forensic code and there is a tracking device so

when did the takes the bag, we know exactly where it is and it is

linked up. So you can go with the police to the place you have

attracted to and the clothing has been marked, and I imagine the ban

which has taken it will be covered as well. And the individual, as

well. On my hand, there is nothing at all. It links the criminal back

to the crime. They can't have got it on any other way. Brilliant,

really, really good. They can run but they can't hide and they will

be caught red-handed. Thanks for that. Next, Colin has a story about

another charity which has been hit hard by thieves who don't care that

they are targeting of vulnerable people. Yes, Rav. Now this is a

catalytic converter. It's part of a car exhaust that helps keep

emissions down. Since around 1992 every new car has had to have one

fitted and it's become a highly desirable target for metal thieves.

They tend to target larger as it's easier to get access to the exhaust.

One charity in Crawley near Gatwick has found out to its cost. It's one

of the fastest-growing crimes in the UK. Metals that cost the UK

economy in the region of �770 million a year. These days, any

kind of metal seems to be fair game. And the latest target is the

catalytic converter. All cars have them. It's part of the exhaust. It

is there to reduce pollution. People may think it's a strange

thing to steal in terms of catalytic converters but his

greater value trading them for scrap. The thieves are not fussy

about who they target. Here in Crawley, a charity providing

transport for the committee has been particularly unlucky. Three of

their vehicles have been the target of thieves. You wonder whether

these people one day will have need of a service like this and realise

exactly what they did. Crawley community transport provides an

essential service for the disabled and the elderly. Their fleet of 13

buses takes passengers on thousands of journeys each year, to the shops,

medical centres, and the centre of town. It is going out, seeing the

world, it gives you a sense of purpose in life. More than it would

if you were just stuck indoors. trouble began last year when one

minibus was damaged apparently by thieves trying to steal the

catalytic converter. Then, in March, there was a second incident. This

time, the thieves were more successful. I came out at 7am it to

go out and start the school run and as I started it, I noticed how

noisy it was and it sounded like the exhaust had blown. I went back

to my boss and said the exhaust has blown, and when he had a look,

underneath it, the catalytic converter was actually missing.

Catalytic converters are very quick and easy to steal. It may only take

a couple of minutes to complete. A criminal can get around �400 for a

catalytic converter depending on the side -- size. Brand new ones

can cost a whole lot more. It cost us something around �700 to replace

each catalytic converter but then you go on from that, and once you

have paid that, claimed it on the insurance, you know that your

premium will go up next year. in April, volunteers were at their

wits end when a third minibus was targeted. I came out of my house

and did all my visible checks, the tyres, everything like that, to

make sure it was all OK. Then I switched the engine on to warm it

up because there was quite a chilly morning, and I heard of this unholy

noise. I knew straightaway that the cut of the convert debt been stolen.

-- the catalytic converter had been stolen. One I heard for the third

time we had been taken by the thieves, I could not believe it.

What can you do? You try your best to serve or the community and this

is what you get. Yes, I readily admit, it was very depressing for

everybody connected with commuter transport. Its lead to extra costs

for the charity. Now those who rely on it fear for its future. Without

the service, a lot of elderly people would not get out at all

without it. If we are constantly targeted, then the impact in the

end would be to put the service at risk. Oh dear. Let's hope the rest

of their minibuses stay safe. Remember, if you saw anything

suspicious on any of those nights, 7th July last year, 23rd March or

17th April this year, in Crawley, Sussex, police would love to hear

from you. Now let's find out a bit more about those catalytic

converters. Dean, what exactly does it do? It reduces exhaust emissions

from the engine via this unit here. The catalytic converter inside.

are they so attractive to thieves? This honeycomb section has gold,

and Puttenham on Ben Wood has a You need heavy cutting equipment

like that. But there are other ways to do it, so precautions must be

taken. How do you know it it has been taken? When you start your car

up in the morning, you would get a terrific noise and smell. Miranda,

how many people are contacting your breakdown service about having

their catalytic converters stolen? It is difficult to quantify the

full extent of the problem but we are seeing pockets of it up and

down the country and the first we hear about it is when a customer

phones as because they need help. What is your advice to motorists?

You can park closer to the kerb because is more awkward for people

to get under the vehicles. Clearly, vehicles like 4x4s and minibuses

are more vulnerable because they are higher off the ground. So it

might be worth parking in a secure place. Thanks, Colin. With me now

is Kevin Heater. You may have an answer, this thing. What does it

do? This is a security adviser that comes on either side of the

catalytic inverter -- convertibles are it secures the Chelsea either

end and forms a tight cage around it. Presumably there is a precious

tool to get it open? Yes. How was this invented? It was invented in

America. They had an issue with this happening five years ago and

they invented it. It has been successful for five years over here

and in the USA. We have had issues with people owning motor homes with

the security compound has been compromised and vehicles were not

compromised. It's quite expensive, 275 pound. Not really when you

consider your insurance premiums going up. And the cost of replacing

this, it is a very effective solution. Briefly, easy to fit?

takes about two hours to fit it. OK, fine, if it cuts the problem

down, it's probably going to be a good idea. Look after your

catalytic converters. Overdue, Rav. Just time to tell you what has been

coming in today. We've had some information through on the man who

carried out fraud at Wickes. Potential names have been given.

Police are investigating but as we speak. We showed yesterday CCTV

footage of these two men and strong information has come through and we

are passed that on to police, as well, including potential names, so

thank you to everyone who has got in touch. Let's find out what's

happening tomorrow. Well, we are going to be on the seafront in

Brighton, so let's hope the weather keeps up for us. We will be asking

for your help to track down some antique silver stolen from St

George's Church in the Kemp Town area of the city. I will be on the

front line with officers who are clamping down on motorists who

drink and drive. A busy day. Make sure you join us. We will see you

tomorrow. That is it for today. For more details about all the crimes

on today's programme head to bbc.co.uk/crimewatch roadshow.