0:00:02 > 0:00:05Thieves will steal our cars, our valuables,
0:00:05 > 0:00:09just 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 > 0:00:22- CCTV is vital.- You 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 > 0:00:30And the general public, too,
0:00:30 > 0:00:33can help unsuspecting crooks get their comeuppance.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37- People won't stand by. - I 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.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Today, a hooded raider shatters the peace of a quiet market town.
0:00:56 > 0:01:03In three days, our safe, joyous little town turned into bedlam.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05But he's picked the wrong place.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08The locals here are a lot cannier than he is.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12If there's anything going on in this town, Jason will know about it.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19Also today, the case of the disappearing cases.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Don't assume when you're on the train you're safe,
0:01:21 > 0:01:22because you're not.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26This man's bagged thousands of pounds worth of valuables
0:01:26 > 0:01:27from passengers' luggage.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29That's my suitcase.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31SHE SIGHS
0:01:32 > 0:01:35And three men admiring a lawn at night,
0:01:35 > 0:01:37but they're not green-fingered gardeners.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39They're light-fingered thieves
0:01:39 > 0:01:41looking to steal some artificial turf,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44and they come a bit unstuck when it doesn't.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Hythe in Kent.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59One autumn weekend,
0:01:59 > 0:02:03this quiet coastal town gets hit by an unexpected wave...
0:02:05 > 0:02:07..of crime.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10I couldn't believe the venom in him, the force...
0:02:10 > 0:02:13wrecking everything that I work for.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16We had serious concerns in that he was a very violent individual.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Alarm spreads through the town
0:02:18 > 0:02:21and a number of Hythe's many shops are attacked.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24And worse - one of the shop owners is threatened.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26He said, "Hand over the cash,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28"or I'll hit you round the head with this hammer."
0:02:28 > 0:02:29But Hythe is a close-knit town
0:02:29 > 0:02:31that doesn't take well to being burgled and bullied.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34All the jewellers in the high street all look out for each other.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36People won't stand by.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39And the locals and the police join forces.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54Alison Chapman has run her antiques business for 35 years.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58She's an expert in her field and well-known in the antiques trade
0:02:58 > 0:03:02from her appearances on television and at charity events.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04She grew up in Hythe.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Hythe is the jewel in the Kent crown.
0:03:08 > 0:03:09It is lovely.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12My parents, they bought an old shop
0:03:12 > 0:03:15which they then converted into an antique shop.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17And they loved it.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Alison grew to share her parents' passion for the business.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24I'd lived with it for so long that I just fell in love with it.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28Lo and behold...here I am.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31She's raised six children while running the shop,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33making it all the more special for her.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38It has great meaning and it has fed my family
0:03:38 > 0:03:41and looked after my family for years.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45And in return, Alison has looked after the shop.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48It's protected with a hi-tech CCTV system
0:03:48 > 0:03:51and there's the added security of watchful neighbours.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Hythe's small business owners keep an eye out for each other.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59If any of us have a problem, we let each other know
0:03:59 > 0:04:02so that we can support one another in that.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07There's rarely any trouble, until one weekend in November.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11It's the early hours of Sunday morning
0:04:11 > 0:04:14and Alison is away in Leeds at a charity auction.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16It had been a brilliant night.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19I was on a high, we'd raised loads and loads of money.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21And then I start to get phone calls.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23They're from a neighbour back in Hythe.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Alison's shop alarm has been triggered.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30She watches her security camera output live on her smartphone.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35To her horror, she sees the front door and cabinets look badly damaged.
0:04:35 > 0:04:36She's been burgled.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40I think the only way I can describe how I felt
0:04:40 > 0:04:42is it's like a car crash.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44You know that shaking that you get
0:04:44 > 0:04:48and you feel as if the whole of you is going into meltdown?
0:04:48 > 0:04:49That's how I felt.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51The police are called.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55Alison arranges for the shop to be boarded up, then rushes home.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57When I first arrived at the shop,
0:04:57 > 0:05:01all my children have gathered so that I was fully supported,
0:05:01 > 0:05:03because they knew...
0:05:03 > 0:05:06They know how much it means to us, really.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09But nothing can prepare her for seeing the damage.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14One of the things that I'm only grateful for,
0:05:14 > 0:05:15that it happened when I wasn't here.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Because despite what the police say,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21that, you know, if you are robbed, just let them take it all,
0:05:21 > 0:05:22I don't think I could.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25I really don't think I could.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27If that man did me any favour,
0:05:27 > 0:05:31he robbed me when I wasn't here to protect myself.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35The burglar has stolen £12,500 worth of items
0:05:35 > 0:05:38and also caused £4,000 worth of destruction.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42But the police have found a crowbar the culprit left behind,
0:05:42 > 0:05:44and send it to forensics.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46And there's other evidence to check.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51With every piece of glass that I hoovered up and picked up,
0:05:51 > 0:05:56I knew he was just a man on borrowed time,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59because I have cameras everywhere.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Next day, Alison and her staff
0:06:02 > 0:06:05download all the recorded CCTV footage
0:06:05 > 0:06:07and this is what they see.
0:06:10 > 0:06:152.30am, Sunday morning. A man with a tool bag stops by the front door.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21He's wearing a hat and scarf to hide his identity.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26At first, he spends several minutes trying to force the door open
0:06:26 > 0:06:27with a large crowbar.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34When that fails, he simply smashes it instead,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36which is what set off the alarm.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Once inside, he attacks an antique cabinet.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52Watching this man's mindless destruction hits Alison hard.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57I couldn't believe the venom in him, the force that he was using on me,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01who, I'd give you my last penny.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04I mean, I help people all the time.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07And here was a man...
0:07:07 > 0:07:11wrecking everything that I work for.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15To me, this is worse than being broken into home,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18because it's my lifeline.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Without this, I have nothing.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26And Alison isn't the only victim of crime over the weekend.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30The police have been called out to several other cases.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35Detective Inspector Bill Thornton takes on the investigation.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37I was shocked to see these offences.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40It was very out of character for Hythe to have that much crime.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44We'd had three burglaries and an attempted robbery.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48A wine shop and another antique store have also been targeted.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Both these businesses were broken into through the roof.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Could it all be the work of the same man?
0:07:57 > 0:08:01The police are determined to solve the crimes quickly,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04especially as one shop owner has been threatened with violence.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06He came round in front of me,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09opened his jacket to show me a hammer, and said,
0:08:09 > 0:08:12"Hand over the cash or I'll hit you round the head with his hammer."
0:08:12 > 0:08:16So, Alison and other locals start their own investigation as well.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18It was like, eureka!
0:08:18 > 0:08:20I know that I know you
0:08:20 > 0:08:25and I also know the one man who can probably name you.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29Jason is the Miss Marple of Hythe.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36We'll see shortly the clever way
0:08:36 > 0:08:41Alison and her fellow shopkeepers get together to help solve the case.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44But the police believe that we all need to get involved
0:08:44 > 0:08:47in ways to make our neighbourhood safer.
0:08:47 > 0:08:48In order to be a good neighbour,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51it's really important you're really aware of what's going on around you.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54If you see someone in your street that you don't recognise,
0:08:54 > 0:08:57don't be afraid to go and question them.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Ask if you can help them and what they're doing in the area.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02And there's no harm in just gathering a bit of evidence for us.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05You know, most smartphones have cameras now,
0:09:05 > 0:09:06so take a quick picture
0:09:06 > 0:09:08or note down a registration number.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10There might be some particular signage alongside the vehicle
0:09:10 > 0:09:14or a vehicle registration number that you can pass to the police.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Perhaps the front registration isn't the same as the rear.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Criminals will often use a cover story.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23They will work in a particular area, drop off leaflets, speak to people,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25and that way, they can build an idea up
0:09:25 > 0:09:27of what kind of houses that they may want to burgle.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30So, it's essential, if you are given a leaflet, then keep a hold of it.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32This could prove vital evidence later on.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Paying particular attention
0:09:34 > 0:09:37to the type of occupier they're speaking to.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39So, are they targeting everybody in the street?
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Or perhaps they're just targeting the elderly.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45In communities that are looking out for each other,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48crime and antisocial behaviour really does reduce.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55Thieves will steal anything that's not fixed down.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57And sometimes, even when it is.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06In Stoke-on-Trent, this business sells artificial grass
0:10:06 > 0:10:09and has a display patch at the front.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11But when the owner comes to work one morning,
0:10:11 > 0:10:16he finds some of it's... mysteriously disappeared.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20Wanting to know who's pinched his patch, he checks the CCTV
0:10:20 > 0:10:25and sees three men in hoodies at nearly one in the morning.
0:10:25 > 0:10:26After a brief consultation
0:10:26 > 0:10:30on how to get this green, green grass for their home,
0:10:30 > 0:10:32they start on one corner.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36They try to rip it up, but the glue holding it proves too strong.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40They have more luck with the other side
0:10:40 > 0:10:42and, over the next few minutes,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45manage to pull up a section of the grass.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47When the owner sees what they've done,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50he'd like to tear them off a strip, too.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52But he doesn't completely lose the plot,
0:10:52 > 0:10:56as the lawn has been down for years and needs replacing anyway.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Still, rather than take the law-n into his own hands,
0:11:00 > 0:11:04he's put this footage of the culprits out on social media.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07So, someone - maybe someone you know -
0:11:07 > 0:11:09will grass them up and turf them in.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Two teenage girls hitch a ride in their friend's car.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Sorry, ON their friend's car.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25They think it's fun, but the sight of their silliness
0:11:25 > 0:11:28will be enough to drive their parents and the police round the bend.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Busy people with busy lives
0:11:36 > 0:11:39are quite often targets for opportunist thieves.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43And that's because busy people in a rush are quite often careless.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Passengers dashing to catch trains at busy stations
0:11:47 > 0:11:52carry a thieves' paradise of valuables in their bags and cases.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55But surely we all know to keep tight hold of our luggage?
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Everyone's aware at the train station,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59like airports, where's your bag?
0:11:59 > 0:12:01You keep your eye on it.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04But once you actually board the train, you let your guard down.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06And if we're unlucky,
0:12:06 > 0:12:10one of our fellow travellers could be someone like this man.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13He's a prolific luggage thief looking for an easy steal.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15And there he is going away with a suitcase.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20He steals approximately £20,000 worth of property in three weeks.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Don't assume when you're on the train you're safe,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24because you're not.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Paddington is one of the largest of London's railway stations.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42Around 30 million passengers pass through here every year.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45That means a lot of luggage.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Detective Constable Dave Graney
0:12:47 > 0:12:50has seen just how easy a target this can be for thieves.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52When you're boarding a train,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54you put your suitcase in the luggage rack,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56then you try and find your seat.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58You get all your bits and bobs out,
0:12:58 > 0:13:00you try and get sorted for the journey
0:13:00 > 0:13:02and, of course, everybody thinks the train's safe.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Recently, guards across the south-west network
0:13:05 > 0:13:08reported a spate of suitcase thefts from trains.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Dave believes the offender may be snatching belongings
0:13:11 > 0:13:14from London's stations before the trains leave.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17He sets out to bag a bag thief.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19It's called a walk on, walk off theft.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21He'll target trains that are awaiting departure,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24he'll board ten minutes before it leaves,
0:13:24 > 0:13:26so it gives him plenty of time.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29He'll wait till the train's busy and then he'll go into the train,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32go straight to the vestibule, the luggage rack area,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35find some easy suitcases to take out,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37and he'll leave the train before it departs.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42The bag's owners often know nothing until they reach their destination,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45then face the sudden and shocking loss of their luggage
0:13:45 > 0:13:47and, above all, its contents.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Even just the clothing can add up to hundreds of pounds.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54You've got your sentimental items in there, electrical items,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57and phones and things like that, in your suitcases.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02One of these victims is Megan from Gloucestershire.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04When she heads to London on business,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07she packs her suitcase with clothes and jewellery
0:14:07 > 0:14:09for different occasions.
0:14:09 > 0:14:10I took a selection of things
0:14:10 > 0:14:13that I normally wouldn't have packed for just one night.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15So, a selection of different tops,
0:14:15 > 0:14:17all my favourite stuff that I was wearing at the time.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20My entire washbag, my entire make-up bag.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23And I took my whole jewellery box,
0:14:23 > 0:14:28including some really precious jewellery that is irreplaceable.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31The next day, Megan arrives at Paddington station
0:14:31 > 0:14:32for her journey home.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35She picks up some shopping before boarding the train.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38And I actually opened my suitcase to put it all in
0:14:38 > 0:14:40and my little jewellery box was there,
0:14:40 > 0:14:42and I just keep kicking myself
0:14:42 > 0:14:46that I didn't pick it up and put it in my handbag.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Walked to the train, put my suitcase in the luggage rack,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52went to the table, got myself sorted and sat down.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55The train leaves just a few minutes later.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57And half an hour into the journey,
0:14:57 > 0:15:02the guard appeals for help finding a fellow passenger's missing suitcase.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05And at that point, I thought, "I'd better go and check on mine."
0:15:05 > 0:15:09And I'll never forget. I walked there and it was gone.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13That was when the panic struck and you just...
0:15:13 > 0:15:17It's just a feeling of emptiness and disbelief.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19You can't believe that this has happened to you.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23The train manager searches, but can't find the bags.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25He reports both as stolen.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30Megan makes her way home, where the full impact of the theft hits her.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34I was so upset and I don't...get depression,
0:15:34 > 0:15:38but if depression means you don't want to talk to anyone,
0:15:38 > 0:15:39you don't want to answer the phone,
0:15:39 > 0:15:43it's really hard to be happy or get motivated,
0:15:43 > 0:15:45then definitely, I was.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47It was a real after-shock effect
0:15:47 > 0:15:50and I was really down for about a week, miserable,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52and also angry with myself,
0:15:52 > 0:15:57that I was so stupid to leave things that were of value unattended.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03Back in London, DC Dave Graney is getting reports coming in
0:16:03 > 0:16:04of multiple thefts.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09But he's convinced they are the work of a single walk on, walk off thief.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12We realised we'd got a one-man mini-crimewave at this time,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15so he needed to be stopped sooner, rather than later.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20He heads straight over to Paddington station to look at the CCTV pictures.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22That way, you've got all the cameras at your disposal,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25you've got all the relevant time as well,
0:16:25 > 0:16:27so you can get everything there and then.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29First, he views footage from an earlier theft the week before.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33I knew the carriage where the victim was seated
0:16:33 > 0:16:36so, fortunately, a camera covered the doorway.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Immediately, he spots something suspicious.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43It's this man in a cap getting off the train with two suitcases.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46That's obviously a good feeling when I can find a suspect.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Then Dave rewinds the footage
0:16:48 > 0:16:52to see if the man had suitcases with him when he boarded the train.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53He didn't.
0:16:53 > 0:16:5830 seconds later, he exits the same door carrying two suitcases.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Two different victims on that train.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Now Dave knows the man's face, he can find out what else he's been up to.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09Sure enough, there he is, wearing the same cap.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13He obviously has somewhere to go with the suitcases,
0:17:13 > 0:17:15somewhere where he can have a quick look
0:17:15 > 0:17:17or root through the bags to see what's in there,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20because he's straight back again on different trains, stealing bags.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Next, Dave looks at the images of the train platform
0:17:23 > 0:17:26at the time Megan's suitcase was stolen.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29She's seeing these pictures for the first time.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32That's my suitcase.
0:17:32 > 0:17:33SHE SIGHS
0:17:33 > 0:17:37It's...a shock.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39He's walked down the carriage and come back up
0:17:39 > 0:17:41and passed me past the window with my case.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44And I still didn't see a thing.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46He's just full of confidence.
0:17:46 > 0:17:47Not a care in the world
0:17:47 > 0:17:51of the devastation and the sadness he's going to bring people.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Dave discovers the victims at Paddington aren't alone.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58The thief has also targeted passengers' bags
0:17:58 > 0:17:59at King's Cross station.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03This is him here. He's got his flat cap, white shirt and rucksack.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06This train has an onboard camera.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09This is the vestibule area where the luggage is, there.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16And he's got his green mobile phone there,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19pretending to be on the phone, just to be less suspicious.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22And there he is going away with a suitcase.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Literally 15 seconds, that took him.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28On that particular occasion, it contained £800 worth of property.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32The thief throws most away most of the victims' belongings.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35He's only interested in cash and small valuables
0:18:35 > 0:18:37that can be sold on easily.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Which is why he has to steal quite a lot
0:18:39 > 0:18:41to eventually get something worthwhile.
0:18:41 > 0:18:46It was approximately £20,000 worth of property in three weeks.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49But the law is closing in on him.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52The same day, police stop a man suspected of fare dodging
0:18:52 > 0:18:56and who's possibly carrying a stolen laptop.
0:18:56 > 0:18:57The man is released.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01When Dave learns of this, his suspicions are raised.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Known for his ability to recognise faces,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06Dave asks to see a picture of the man.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08It's good news.
0:19:08 > 0:19:09Just from that one image,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11I was able to say it's the same person from CCTV,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15because we've got some good facial images of the suspect.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Comparing it to this guy, it was definitely him.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22The man is 34-year-old Gareth Colclough.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25When he was arrested, he was carrying a train ticket from Dover
0:19:25 > 0:19:29to another London station, St Pancras.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Dave puts two and two together and hatches a plan to catch up with him.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35So, the following day, we all plotted up.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Myself and my colleagues were at St Pancras.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40We had other officers scattered around different stations
0:19:40 > 0:19:41to cover all bases.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Colclough walks into the trap.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Mid-afternoon, he walked through,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49and he didn't actually pay for his fare to get through the barriers.
0:19:49 > 0:19:50He what we call double-shuffled.
0:19:50 > 0:19:51He walked behind somebody
0:19:51 > 0:19:54who'd used their ticket to get through the barriers.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56He thought he was being stopped for fare evading,
0:19:56 > 0:19:58but when it was explained to him
0:19:58 > 0:20:00that he was under arrest for a lot of thefts,
0:20:00 > 0:20:02his face obviously changed.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03It's taken less than a week
0:20:03 > 0:20:07for Dave and his colleagues to put a stop to Colclough.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09He's charged with nine counts of theft,
0:20:09 > 0:20:11including stealing Megan's suitcase.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13I opened up my e-mails.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17There was one there from DC Graney, and it just simply said, "Got him!"
0:20:17 > 0:20:19And I thought, "Yes!"
0:20:23 > 0:20:27In court, Colclough is sentenced to a total of 28 months in prison.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33The case of the missing cases is closed. This time, anyway.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36But Dave has some advice for passengers.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39We always try and advise people to keep their expensive items,
0:20:39 > 0:20:41electrical items, with them in bags
0:20:41 > 0:20:45and then just keep clothing and nothing sentimental
0:20:45 > 0:20:49or worth a lot of money in your suitcases.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53Unfortunately for Megan, her property was never recovered.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55She gained comfort from the fact
0:20:55 > 0:20:58that the British Transport Police caught the culprit
0:20:58 > 0:21:01and also helped her to cope with the effects of his crime.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Their victim support unit rang me to see how I was feeling.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07That, combined with the work of DC Graney,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10was really, really helpful. And just being kept in the loop
0:21:10 > 0:21:12and being felt that they were really dealing with things
0:21:12 > 0:21:14was so much appreciated.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23CCTV cameras aren't just useful for catching criminals.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26They can also help spot antisocial behaviour.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Like this case of teenage kicks gone too far.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Some girls just want to have fun.
0:21:37 > 0:21:38But there's nothing fun or funny
0:21:38 > 0:21:41watching these two teenagers car surfing,
0:21:41 > 0:21:44hanging onto the bonnet of their friend's car
0:21:44 > 0:21:45while she drives them around.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47And if that isn't stupid enough,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50the driver's also filming them on her mobile.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53And it's not just a brief moment of madness.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56They go right round the block twice more.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02But their siesta on the Fiesta is soon interrupted
0:22:02 > 0:22:06when a CCTV operator guides the police to their location.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08They take an understandably dim view
0:22:08 > 0:22:14and the 18-year-old driver is later banned from driving for 15 months.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16So, they'll take no joy from their ride.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29We're back in Hythe, Kent,
0:22:29 > 0:22:33where there's been a weekend of burglaries and an attempted robbery.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36The victims include antique shop owner Alison Chapman.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41In three days, our quiet, safe, joyous little town
0:22:41 > 0:22:44turned into bedlam.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49DI Bill Thornton is investigating the series of crimes.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53The first incident happens on Friday night,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56just after wine shop owner Kevin has locked up.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00As he's walking home, he's stopped by a man.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03He came round in front of me, opened his jacket to show me a hammer
0:23:03 > 0:23:05and said, "Hand over the cash
0:23:05 > 0:23:07"or I'll hit you round the head with this hammer."
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Kevin refuses and explains he doesn't have the day's takings with him.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13I said to him, "If you want the cash in my pockets, there we are,"
0:23:13 > 0:23:15and I had about seven quid in change in my pocket.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18I said, "Take that." "I don't want that. I want your cash in the shop."
0:23:18 > 0:23:20I said, "It's all locked up. I don't carry it home."
0:23:20 > 0:23:23The man eventually believes him and leaves.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Kevin continues home, but he can't relax for long.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Not been home 40 minutes, I think,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30and the phone went and that's the alarm company saying,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33"Your alarm's gone off, someone's broken into the shop."
0:23:33 > 0:23:35The man has forced his way in through the roof,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38causing £1,000 worth of damage.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41He's also ripped out the CCTV recorder.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Fortunately, though, he couldn't break into Kevin's locked safe.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47So, all he'd done in the end was grabbed a charity box,
0:23:47 > 0:23:49so he's got away with about a tenner.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54Later that evening, there's another break-in at a shop down the road.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Followed the next night by the burglary at Alison's antique shop.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Bill believes the incidents are connected.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03For the location to have that much crime
0:24:03 > 0:24:06within such a tight timeframe, it was natural to link them.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10There is potential evidence at each of the crime scenes.
0:24:10 > 0:24:15Kevin's CCTV system may have recorded something before being disconnected.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18And there's an empty beer can at the second burglary.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Which was a fantastic breakthrough for us
0:24:20 > 0:24:23in that we knew that we could get DNA from a can.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Where it's been handled, as well, there's potential for fingerprints.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30And as well as the CCTV footage from Alison's shop,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34they have the crowbar that the burglar left behind.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36It's all sent for forensic analysis.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39We sent that off on a fast submission.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43We can invest in turning forensics around much quicker
0:24:43 > 0:24:45if we believe that there's a violent individual
0:24:45 > 0:24:47or someone that's desperate -
0:24:47 > 0:24:49and in this case, he certainly appears to be desperate -
0:24:49 > 0:24:52to get the results back that much quicker.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Meanwhile, Alison and her staff begin some detective work of their own.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00They examine the CCTV footage closely.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03I said, "He won't have just turned up here.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06"He'll have come before. This will be built up."
0:25:06 > 0:25:10They're right. There has been an earlier visit.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Rewinding back six hours before the break-in,
0:25:12 > 0:25:16Alison sees two men stopping by the door, peering in.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21A couple of hours later, the pair return with a torch for another look.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25As he put his face to the window,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28he hadn't got his balaclava mask or his hat on.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29I saw all of him.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32It was like, eureka!
0:25:32 > 0:25:33I know that I know you
0:25:33 > 0:25:39and I also know the one man who can probably name you.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Jason is the Miss Marple of Hythe.
0:25:42 > 0:25:47If there's anything going on in this town, Jason will know about it.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Jason runs a jeweller's across the road.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55Yes, Alison mentions Miss Marple to me quite a lot, so...
0:25:55 > 0:25:58But... I...
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Someone's got to do it.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03He goes to have a look at Alison's footage.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07And as soon as that picture came up and we paused it,
0:26:07 > 0:26:09I knew exactly who it was.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12The man had stuck in Jason's mind
0:26:12 > 0:26:15because he'd filmed him a couple of months earlier,
0:26:15 > 0:26:17and this is what he saw.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21The same man acting suspiciously outside Alison's shop.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23I've been in the trade 30 years
0:26:23 > 0:26:27and you tend to have a good idea of who's shopping and who isn't.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32So, I videoed him and the local PCSO identified who he was.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35The man's name is Anthony Foord.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39I was so happy that we could name this guy.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44She phones the police. Their quick work has also had the same result.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47The identification that Alison was able to make
0:26:47 > 0:26:49came in near enough exactly the same time
0:26:49 > 0:26:51that we received the name from the forensics.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55The beer can from the second burglary, the crowbar from Alison's.
0:26:55 > 0:27:00Even the disconnected CCTV recorder from Kevin's wine shop.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Each bit of evidence links Anthony Foord to the crimes.
0:27:04 > 0:27:05It was fantastic.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07When we went to arrest him, he gave us even more evidence.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10He was still wearing the same top that we see from the CCTV
0:27:10 > 0:27:12of when he recce'd the premises in the first place.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15He's wearing the same trousers and he's wearing the same trainers.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17And it's taken just two days to catch him.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24In court, Foord is sentenced to five years in prison.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29The residents are happy that life is back to normal
0:27:29 > 0:27:32after their couple of days of mayhem.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Things have been settled in Hythe again,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37so I'm happy that it was an isolated incident
0:27:37 > 0:27:40that's not going to recur in the near future.
0:27:40 > 0:27:45Very pleased to help the community and help Alison, and basically...
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Even though she didn't get anything back,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50you know, he's been arrested and locked up.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55And Alison herself, despite the losses she's suffered,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58has managed to find a few positives as well.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00The kindness of other people.
0:28:00 > 0:28:05People came to ask how we were, people bought flowers.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08We had e-mails from all around the world.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11And it made me feel not alone
0:28:11 > 0:28:15and it made me feel that that the man was just one man
0:28:15 > 0:28:18and we, the others, are many.
0:28:22 > 0:28:23That's it for today.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25Join us next time,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27when police and the public catch more criminals red-handed.