0:00:02 > 0:00:05Thieves will steal our cars, our valuables,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08just about anything they can get their hands on.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12To cut down on crime and antisocial behaviour,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15the police and other agencies are using new tactics and technology
0:00:15 > 0:00:18where the bad guys are getting caught in the act.
0:00:18 > 0:00:19The CCTV was vital.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22You can see they are definitely the people there.
0:00:22 > 0:00:23The camera doesn't lie.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26Local councils, shops and businesses are laying some traps of their own...
0:00:26 > 0:00:29There's a eureka moment when you get that evidence.
0:00:29 > 0:00:30..and the general public, too,
0:00:30 > 0:00:33can help unsuspecting crooks get their comeuppance.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35People won't stand by.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37I couldn't sit back and do nothing.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Yes! We've got her!
0:00:39 > 0:00:43So, anyone who's up to no good had better think twice.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46They might just get caught red-handed.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Today - a dangerous moment for a lone policeman
0:00:54 > 0:00:57who comes face to face with a gang in a car park.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00There were five adult males in there and if they turn
0:01:00 > 0:01:02and they think they're going to control me,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04then there's every possibility I'm going to get hurt.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07But he has police dog, Roddy, at his side.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08BARKING
0:01:08 > 0:01:13Also today - an armed robber bursts into Sam's shop.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16All I could see is his eyes and this knife.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18It was a proper large knife.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21But the man's eyes and the knife aren't all that Sam sees.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25His centre knuckle, it's raised. That's not normal.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30And a Christmas story and a winter wonderland created for charity.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32But this is a crime story.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35How the Grinches Tried to Steal Christmas.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50In a dark backstreet in Northampton, PC Ian McDonald,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53along with his police dog, Roddy,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56is tracking a group of motorcycle thieves.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01What happens next is captured on Ian's body camera.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Police! Stop! Stay there!
0:02:03 > 0:02:07This is the moment Ian corners the thieves who are hiding in a car park.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09I'm quite heavily outnumbered by them
0:02:09 > 0:02:11and they've got an awful lot to lose if I catch them.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14But now, he realises it's just him and Roddy
0:02:14 > 0:02:16standing between them and the only exit.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19There are five adult males in there. If they think they can control me,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22there's every possibility I'm going to get hurt.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23BARKING
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Based in Northamptonshire,
0:02:31 > 0:02:35PC Ian McDonald has been a police dog handler for nearly ten years.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41The dog section was the department I decided would be right for me.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44It's a fantastic job. You get to go to all the great jobs.
0:02:45 > 0:02:46And I enjoy dogs, as well.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50This is Ian's police partner, Roddy.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53He's a seven-and-a-half-year-old German shepherd.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56I've had him for just over five years.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00You have to have a bond with a dog, so it is a selection process.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02I met with Roddy and we got on well. He's lovely.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06He's a really friendly German shepherd.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10He's probably the friendliest in our force and, no, he's not aggressive.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13He'll be smiling quite happily when he bites you.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17But man's best friend can be a crook's worst enemy.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Roddy's main role is to sniff out trouble and those who cause it.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24In a specific environment where there's offenders we need to detain,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Roddy will look quite intimidating,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30sound quite intimidating and will do a job.
0:03:30 > 0:03:31BARKING
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Stand still! It's your last chance! Hold him!
0:03:33 > 0:03:35If he's sent, he will go and engage
0:03:35 > 0:03:37and will bite somebody and will cause damage.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39But it's not because he's aggressive,
0:03:39 > 0:03:41it's because it's what he's trained to do.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43As well as always having Roddy at his side,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Ian also wears a body camera when he's on duty.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52They're fantastic. They gather key evidence of an incident unfolding.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54The camera doesn't lie.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57The camera's an accurate portrayal of exactly what's happened.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Ian's camera and Roddy are both about to be tested.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05There's been a spate of motorbike thefts
0:04:05 > 0:04:07in the Abington area of Northampton.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Bike owners such as Adam are on their guard.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14I bought a bike about one year ago from my friend from London.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19It's a bike for travel, not for speed.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Just want to see some nature because I love it.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27As his only form of transport, Adam needs his bike to get to work.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30It's really, really important for me to get anywhere.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35But in the early hours of a July morning,
0:04:35 > 0:04:37as Adam's asleep in his flat,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40one of the other residents makes a call to the police.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44She's seen five men pushing a large motorbike up the road.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46She suspects they've stolen it.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Working a night shift, Ian and Roddy are on duty nearby.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55His body cam running, Ian arrives at the flats.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57He talks to the witness.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Hello. Which way did they go?
0:05:01 > 0:05:03But while going to get her phone to call the police,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05the witness lost sight of the men.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08She didn't have any direction of travel for them,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11but what she was able to do was pinpoint the spot she'd seen them.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13So then I can ask my dog the question
0:05:13 > 0:05:16about looking for a scent, looking for a track.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Ian takes Roddy around the back of the block, where the suspects
0:05:20 > 0:05:24had last been seen and tells him to track their scent.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26And then he's off and he's really pulling hard on my lead.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30His nose is down on the ground and his shoulders are into it
0:05:30 > 0:05:33and I know that he's tracking, without any doubt in my mind.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36And Ian's confident Roddy's on the right track.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38These five persons at the scene with this bike,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41their adrenaline's flowing, they've got different endorphins
0:05:41 > 0:05:44coming off their body and the dog's picking up on all of those.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46All those smells that we can't smell.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49They've only just begun following the trail
0:05:49 > 0:05:52when Roddy suddenly stops at the doors of a dustbin storeroom.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55I kind of thought when he went around the corner, up to the doors,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57"What are you doing, Roddy?"
0:05:57 > 0:05:59And then looking through, just thinking,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01"Oh, my God, you're on the money. You're exactly right."
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Ian peers through the shutters at the top of the doors.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07I can see the five of them in there and I can see a motorbike.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11So I know without any doubt at that point that he's delivered.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13He updates other officers who are on their way.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Come around, they're all in the building.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18The suspects have locked the door of the dustbin store.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20It's clear to me that the people have heard me
0:06:20 > 0:06:23because there's a lot of fast movement inside.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25I can hear them breaking around.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28I've then got a decision to make, whether I wait for backup to arrive
0:06:28 > 0:06:32to assist me, or whether I go in and try and apprehend the offenders.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Fearing they might escape, Ian pulls hard at the doors
0:06:35 > 0:06:37and forces them open.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39He sees the stolen bike.
0:06:39 > 0:06:40It's been abandoned.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43There's another door in the room.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47The suspects have fled through it into a secure locked car park.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50They're hiding in the dark. Ian shouts a warning.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Police dog! Stand still!
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Stay there, or I'll release the dog!
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Ian has to command attention.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00I'm very loud, very aggressive and very dominant.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02I know there's five adult males in there
0:07:02 > 0:07:05and if they turn and think they're going to control me,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08then there's every possibility I'm going to get hurt,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10or, indeed, some of them are going to get away from me.
0:07:10 > 0:07:15Ian and Roddy are alone in the dark with five men.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17And he has no idea if they have weapons.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Stay there! Come to me now!
0:07:19 > 0:07:22He spots one of the suspects moving.
0:07:22 > 0:07:23Walk to me now!
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Walk to me now, or I'll send the dog! It's your last chance!
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Right, you, lie down there now on the ground,
0:07:30 > 0:07:31or I'll send the dog to you!
0:07:31 > 0:07:34'It's control. I want to prevent him from running away
0:07:34 > 0:07:37'and prevent him from being able to get to me very quickly.'
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Ian knows the other four are still in there
0:07:39 > 0:07:42with just him and Roddy standing in front of the only exit.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45I'm outnumbered by them and they've got an awful lot to lose if I catch them.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49Ian spots another man moving behind a car.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51You, come out from behind that car now!
0:07:51 > 0:07:53BARKING
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Get on the ground!
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Roddy's barking also helps to control the situation.
0:07:59 > 0:08:00'Having Roddy in front of me
0:08:00 > 0:08:03'is a big deterrent to stop people coming towards me.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06'The lads didn't want to be bitten by the dog.'
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Turn left, keep your car door in.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Ian tries to guide other officers to him.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14He needs reinforcements as more of the suspects emerge.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17You behind the car! Come out now!
0:08:17 > 0:08:20You, get on the ground there now!
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- BARKING - Get on the ground!
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Three in custody, I've got two outstanding.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25Two are still hiding.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29So Ian's glad when backup arrives.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31'This is a great relief to me because I know
0:08:31 > 0:08:34'they can take control of the people we've already found.'
0:08:34 > 0:08:37His fellow officers track down the fourth man.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Yeah. That person needs detaining, as well.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44We've got four, there's one outstanding
0:08:44 > 0:08:46and I'm sure he'll be under a car in here somewhere.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48I'm just searching with the dog now.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- Ian and Roddy scour the car park for the final culprit.- Stand by.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55He'll be in this car park somewhere. He's trapped in here somewhere.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Out you come, mate!
0:09:00 > 0:09:02All five in custody.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04While the men are led away,
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Ian records on his body cam evidence of where the bike's been found.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11This is the motorbike that I saw in the yard.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15You can see there's a wrench down by the side of it, which I shall seize.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18And I understand this lock was with one of the occupants
0:09:18 > 0:09:20that have been detained.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22The side cowling is down off the bike.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25I saw them crouching down, messing around on that area.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Meanwhile, the bike's owner, Adam,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30has been woken up by all the commotion.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34He hears that a motorbike's been stolen, so he goes to check his bike.
0:09:34 > 0:09:40And I just walked down, seen on the street, argh! It was my bike.
0:09:40 > 0:09:41HE LAUGHS
0:09:41 > 0:09:45That was a really awful feeling because your precious...
0:09:45 > 0:09:47It's gone!
0:09:47 > 0:09:49But then some friends call out to Adam.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53They've spotted that his bike is with the police in the dustbin store.
0:09:53 > 0:09:54"Adam! Adam!" I said, "What?"
0:09:54 > 0:09:58"Your bike is here." I was, like, "What?! How come?"
0:09:58 > 0:10:02It was really a relief for me when I saw it.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Thank you very much for the police.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Charged and convicted of attempted theft,
0:10:13 > 0:10:15the five men received varying punishments,
0:10:15 > 0:10:18with one getting 18 weeks in jail.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21The case acts as a deterrent
0:10:21 > 0:10:24and motorbike theft has now dropped in the area.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29It was a good night's work for Ian and Roddy.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32This job in its entirety was really good for Roddy.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34All in all, he's worked really well.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36He got some extra biscuits when he got home.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40I was very pleased that he'd done all that was asked of him.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50Thanks to Ian and Roddy, Adam got his stolen motorbike back,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53but many victims aren't so lucky.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57How can we deter thieves from taking our vehicles in the first place?
0:10:57 > 0:11:01Anything extra that you can do, other than just locking the car,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03is going to prove as a deterrent.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06So if you can fit an immobiliser or a steering wheel lock,
0:11:06 > 0:11:09then it's always better to try and do that little bit more.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12There's also sort of data-tracking systems which, again,
0:11:12 > 0:11:14not only help protect your vehicle,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16but will keep your insurance premiums down.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19These days, vehicles are rarely hot-wired.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22What the offender will try and do is steal the car keys
0:11:22 > 0:11:24in order to make it easier to steal the car.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27So it's essential that we really look after those car keys
0:11:27 > 0:11:30and put them somewhere that someone can't get to them easily.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32Take photographs of your pride and joy, no doubt,
0:11:32 > 0:11:36so that you cab help track and trace your vehicle if it is stolen.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40Because there'll be uniqueness to it that the thieves won't be aware of.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43If we can identify it for you from a scratch, or a sticker,
0:11:43 > 0:11:46or a slightly different panel that's been changed at some point
0:11:46 > 0:11:49whilst you've had it, then that's going to make it easier
0:11:49 > 0:11:51to not only bring the offender to justice,
0:11:51 > 0:11:53but to get the car back to you in one piece.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Now, Christmas is supposed to be a time of giving.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02But some people don't see it that way.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Like Santa's little help-yourself-ers.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14The couple who live at this house in Redcar, Teesside,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16do a large Christmas display every year
0:12:16 > 0:12:18in order to raise money for charity.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21This year, it's for the RNLI.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24But one morning, they find hundreds of pounds' worth of decorations
0:12:24 > 0:12:26have gone overnight.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29They check the footage from their garden security camera
0:12:29 > 0:12:33and see a crime even Scrooge might have thought too mean.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38'Twas some nights before Christmas and in front of the house,
0:12:38 > 0:12:43nothing was stirring, except for this small car cruising past.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45A reconnaissance, perhaps?
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Minutes later, these two men appear.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51One cuts a wire...
0:12:52 > 0:12:54..and takes a plastic Santa.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59Adding it to the items they are stocking up on the drive.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02The camera stops recording,
0:13:02 > 0:13:04but when the picture came back, the pair had gone.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08The couple hand the footage over to the police,
0:13:08 > 0:13:12but the elves who helped themselves remain at large.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Bah humbug!
0:13:16 > 0:13:18It isn't all bad news, though.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Upset by the incident, locals send the couple
0:13:21 > 0:13:23more decorations and donations.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28In the end, they raise over £1,200 for Redcar RNLI.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31'Tis the season to be merry once again.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Coming up -
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Another heartless act. At a food bank!
0:13:38 > 0:13:41This man's been given free meals,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44but then he does something that's hard to swallow.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48Oh, good grief! He's just put the charity box in his pocket.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49It makes me bubble inside.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53The charity team can't believe someone's prepared to bite
0:13:53 > 0:13:54the hand that feeds him.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Most of us make pretty good use of our local shop.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05Quite often, they are at the heart of neighbourhood life.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08So we'd be pretty annoyed if they came under attack.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Bury in Greater Manchester.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17An armed man tries to steal from Sam, a popular local shopkeeper.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20All I could see is his eyes
0:14:20 > 0:14:22and a rucksack and this knife!
0:14:22 > 0:14:24It was a proper large knife.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28But this robber's picked the wrong shop and the wrong shop-owner.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32It's just not fair that somebody should just walk into the shop
0:14:32 > 0:14:34and just take what you've sort of earned.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37Sam's not going to give in.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40I realised that I have to do something about it.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41The masked man escapes.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46But locals rally round to try and uncover the man behind the mask.
0:14:55 > 0:14:56In the Topping Fold area of Bury,
0:14:56 > 0:15:00Sam Patel and his wife, Bharti, run the local convenience store.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04They bought the shop over 20 years ago.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07This is our livelihood, basically.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09This is my second home.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12The shop and Sam are firmly established
0:15:12 > 0:15:14at the heart of local life.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17They actually call this shop, "Sam's Shop",
0:15:17 > 0:15:20not, another corner shop. It's Sam's Shop.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Even the little kids come in and say, "I'm going to Sam's".
0:15:23 > 0:15:25The kids have grown up with me.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29I've seen them from being born to leaving school
0:15:29 > 0:15:32and getting a job and this, that and the other.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- Hiya, Josh.- Hiya, Sam.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Josh is a regular customer.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40I come in here every day, seven days a week.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43I stand in this shop, I can stand in here for an hour talking with him.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Football and...
0:15:45 > 0:15:49Everyone around here gets on with him. Everyone knows him really well.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52He's a pillar of the community. He'll help anyone.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54He'll do anything for anyone.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Local people obviously care for Sam,
0:15:56 > 0:15:58and he tries to take care of them.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00I believe that if you're a nice person,
0:16:00 > 0:16:01then you'll be treated nicely.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04I mean, sometimes, if I'm struggling for gas and electric,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08with me living over the road, if I need it and I know I'm struggling,
0:16:08 > 0:16:12he'll do it me till a couple of days later, and stuff like that.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14He'll help you out in any way he can.
0:16:14 > 0:16:20Like most shopkeepers, Sam has an alarm and CCTV system for security.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22But crime has never been a problem.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Until one Sunday morning that Sam will never forget.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32He's alone in the store in a back room
0:16:32 > 0:16:34when he hears the shop door buzzer.
0:16:34 > 0:16:35BLEEP!
0:16:35 > 0:16:38He doesn't know it yet, but he has a sinister intruder.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41A masked man with a large carving knife.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Moving towards the counter, he waits for Sam to come back into the shop.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Then threatens him.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55It's a terrifying moment.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59All I could see is his eyes
0:16:59 > 0:17:02and a rucksack and this knife!
0:17:02 > 0:17:04It wasn't a penknife or anything like that,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07it was a proper large knife.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09I-I didn't understand what was happening.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13I was expecting a customer, not a masked person.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16And my head must have told me, saying,
0:17:16 > 0:17:18"That's a knife. Do something about it."
0:17:18 > 0:17:20The robber demands money,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23but Sam bravely refuses to hand over any cash.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26It's just not fair that somebody should just walk into the shop
0:17:26 > 0:17:30and just take what you've...what you've sort of earned.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32He pushes a panic button hidden behind the counter.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34RAPID BEEPING
0:17:34 > 0:17:36With the alarm sounding loudly,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39the would-be robber panics and runs out of the shop.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Sam decides to follow him out.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46He sort of turned right and just headed in that direction.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48I didn't run after him.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50I just wanted to see which way he was going.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Sam comes back to his shop.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56The anger and distress on his face is plain to see.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02The shock of it didn't sort of come into it until after he had run away.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09The police arrive. They've been automatically alerted by the alarm.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Sam phones his wife to say what's happened.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17She said, "Oh, my God! Right, OK. I'm on my way."
0:18:18 > 0:18:20It was scary for her.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25Customers and friends are also stunned when they hear the news.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27When I first found out, I was really, really shocked.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30You've got people like Sam trying to earn a decent living
0:18:30 > 0:18:33and you've got people like that who just try and come in and take it
0:18:33 > 0:18:35without any thought whatsoever
0:18:35 > 0:18:38of how it's going to affect him, how it's going to affect his family.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41You don't need that. You don't need to be coming to work
0:18:41 > 0:18:44feeling like you're going to be targeted.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Who would do such a thing to Sam?
0:18:47 > 0:18:50The hunt is on for any tell-tale signs
0:18:50 > 0:18:53as to the identity of the would-be robber.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57Sam and the police view the recorded CCTV footage.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59It reveals a clue.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01He's showing me his knife and his rucksack.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05And he's basically saying to me, "Fill it up with money".
0:19:05 > 0:19:08When he does, you can see that his centre knuckle
0:19:08 > 0:19:11is actually quite pronounced.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13It looks as if he's been in a fight the night before,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16or he's hit a wall, or something.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18It's raised. That's not normal.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22An image of the robber and his swollen knuckle
0:19:22 > 0:19:25is circulated by friends on the neighbourhood grapevine.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29It doesn't take long before the identity of the culprit
0:19:29 > 0:19:30is discovered.
0:19:30 > 0:19:31And it comes as a shock.
0:19:31 > 0:19:37The would-be knife robber is a 17-year-old youth who lives locally.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39And he's actually been boasting about the incident
0:19:39 > 0:19:43to other youths on the estate, including Josh.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46A lad come over to me, bragging about what had actually happened.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49And I'd sort of said to him,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51"Well, I'll take you over to the shop now,
0:19:51 > 0:19:53"while you've not got your mask on."
0:19:53 > 0:19:56That doesn't happen, but it doesn't need to.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Because several other neighbours have come forward
0:19:58 > 0:20:01to reveal the would-be robber's identity.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03The incident happened on a Sunday morning.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08By Monday lunchtime, I knew his name and I knew everything about him.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11He has been in the shop a few times
0:20:11 > 0:20:14and it was strange that he's used the shop
0:20:14 > 0:20:17and then he's tried to sort of do the shop.
0:20:17 > 0:20:18You know, it was weird.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21I think it's disgusting, to be honest.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Sam passes on the information to the police
0:20:24 > 0:20:26and the youth is taken into custody.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30Faced with overwhelming evidence, he admits to the crime.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37In court, he is given a six-month referral order,
0:20:37 > 0:20:39told to pay compensation
0:20:39 > 0:20:42and is also given a restraining order to stay away from Sam's shop.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50He didn't get jailed, but he got caught.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53That's the main thing.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55It's business as usual back at the store.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58I've not heard of anything of him since, you know.
0:20:58 > 0:21:03And, um...I'm just hoping that he's learnt his lesson that nowadays,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05you've got to work hard to get your money,
0:21:05 > 0:21:09not, you know, er...try and rob somebody.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13The youth now has a chance to turn over a new leaf.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17And, despite Sam's experience, he's come out feeling positive
0:21:17 > 0:21:20because of the way he was supported by the locals.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25The help from the community was absolutely fantastic.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28I think without the community's information,
0:21:28 > 0:21:32I don't think we would've been able to catch this person.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36It shows that there's a lot of people who do care about us.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- Thanks, buddy.- Thank you. See you, Sam.- See you later.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46Charity shops rely on goodwill to survive,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49so the last person in the world you'd expect to damage one of them
0:21:49 > 0:21:52would be somebody who was receiving their help.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00A charity cafe in Hartlepool,
0:22:00 > 0:22:02where, once a week, Food Bank donations
0:22:02 > 0:22:05are distributed to families in need.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07We provided their food parcels,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09we gave them a cup of tea and biscuits.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13But this morning, one of the men collects more than his food parcel.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17He steals one of the charity's collection boxes.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Oh, good grief! He's just put the charity box in his pocket.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26We rely on donations. It makes me bubble inside.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29It was the lowest form of theft.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33But a security camera means the cafe is able to dish out
0:22:33 > 0:22:34some justice of their own.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48- Val?- Yep?- I'm just going through the rota. Who's covering...?
0:22:48 > 0:22:51The charity, called Hartlepool Families First,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54has been running for over 25 years.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Paul Thompson is the manager.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58It's a charity that was set up to support children
0:22:58 > 0:23:01with disabilities and profound learning difficulties
0:23:01 > 0:23:04so that their families can enjoy a bit of respite,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07but also so that those children can take part in activities
0:23:07 > 0:23:11that any other child across this country could get involved in.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15The charity grew and their help now reaches thousands of local people.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19They opened this cafe three years ago. It's run by Val.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Most of the people that we rely on in the kitchen
0:23:22 > 0:23:24are volunteers, trainees, apprentices.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26As well as raising money for the charity,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29the cafe also provides training and work experience
0:23:29 > 0:23:31for young people in the area.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Carole volunteers in the kitchen.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Some of them have never been in a kitchen before,
0:23:35 > 0:23:37so they haven't got a clue.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40So we, like, train them and teach them how we do things here.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44We've had something like 120 people that have went on to use
0:23:44 > 0:23:46those skills and that experience
0:23:46 > 0:23:49into getting further employment in the town.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Every penny counts, so they put out a collection box to help raise money.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Most people, they'll say, "Keep the change.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57"Put the change in the charity box."
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Some of the ladies go around and rattle their tin amongst friends.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Donations are something that we just couldn't operate without.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07It goes to help towards toys and outings and things for the children.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09The box is kept on the counter.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11It's not chained in place.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15After all, no-one would steal from a charity, would they?
0:24:15 > 0:24:18We want this to be a warm, welcoming environment
0:24:18 > 0:24:20where people aren't under suspicion.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25There's a CCTV security system installed when the cafe opened.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28But there's never been any suggestion of crime here.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Until...one Tuesday.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Val notices that something's amiss.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37I got a call from the office to collect the charity tins, as we do
0:24:37 > 0:24:40on a monthly basis, and that's when I realised it wasn't there any more.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44The box had been checked the previous week and it was almost full.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46We estimate there was about £70-£80.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49We actually initially suspected that we were going to find
0:24:49 > 0:24:52that a member of staff had moved it and put it somewhere safe.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Paul checks the CCTV.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58He rewinds back to Saturday morning,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01when there's a special session in the cafe.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04This Saturday, Val was on shift in the kitchen.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Saturday mornings, a local church group take over the building
0:25:08 > 0:25:12for an hour to distribute a food bank to the needy of Hartlepool.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16One of the individuals brought his cups back to the counter,
0:25:16 > 0:25:18as if he was helping to clear up.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21And he helps himself to one of our charity wristbands.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25The man's put the band on his wrist, so now, he should make a donation.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30But no, he craftily nudges the collection box to see if it's full.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34A quick check over his shoulder... and it's gone.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39Oh, good grief! He's just put the charity box in his pocket.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Now he's made a mess all over the counter.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45He even asks Val to clear up his spilled coffee.
0:25:45 > 0:25:51He points out to me that he's spilled something. I go out and...
0:25:51 > 0:25:53That's me going off for a cloth.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54The thief come back to his seat,
0:25:54 > 0:25:58where he was originally sitting, picks up a carrier bag,
0:25:58 > 0:26:01and this is the same carrier bag that had his food parcel in,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03to which he slips the charity can into the inside
0:26:03 > 0:26:06and he's gone out the door.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09The team are flabbergasted.
0:26:09 > 0:26:10It's absolutely unbelievable.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14You just wouldn't believe people would do things like that.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Come in for free food and then they go and do that, as well.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20To us, it was the lowest form of theft.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23It was, you know, there is no excuse to do that sort of thing.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27We rely on donations. It still makes me bubble inside.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29I just think, "How dare you?"
0:26:29 > 0:26:33But with the camera's recording, they have a picture of his face.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37And they call the police.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39The way the police reacted was fantastic.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41They came within a couple of hours.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43PCSOs arrive and view the footage.
0:26:43 > 0:26:48The second that one of the PCSOs clocks eyes on the culprit,
0:26:48 > 0:26:50he knew exactly who it was.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53They arrest the thief the following morning.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56By the afternoon, they had him in front of the magistrates,
0:26:56 > 0:26:58where he immediately pleaded guilty.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01In a little over 24 hours of reporting the crime,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04we were aware of the outcome.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10The man is sentenced to eight weeks in prison,
0:27:10 > 0:27:11suspended for six months
0:27:11 > 0:27:14and is ordered to pay costs and compensation.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23The uncharitable act of a thief
0:27:23 > 0:27:27is soon made up for by the charity of the people of Hartlepool,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29with many generous donations.
0:27:31 > 0:27:32We're probably at break even now
0:27:32 > 0:27:35with the money that we've lost because of the generosity.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38And that typifies the response in Hartlepool.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41And the charity can get on with its good work.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Hopefully, everything's going to be all right from now on.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47It's been going for 25 years and hopefully,
0:27:47 > 0:27:49it'll continue for another 25 or longer.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56That's it for today. Join us next time,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59when police and the public catch more criminals red-handed.