Islington Tribune - by MARK BLUNDEN Published: 22 June 2007
Sneak thief in raid on Mayor’s parlour safe
A THIEF took more than £160 in cash from a safe in the Mayor’s parlour at the Town Hall. The theft was among seven from council offices in recent years. The culprit has never been caught.
Figures released to the Tribune under the Freedom of Information Act show how thousands of pounds worth of property has been stolen from supposedly secure council buildings.
The haul at the Town Hall has included a laptop computer, handheld computer, compact disc player, Oyster cards and £20 from an official’s drawer.
The six thefts happened despite tightened security at the building.
Everyone, including the council’s top brass, have to show the contents of their bags on the way into the building, but not on the way out.
In the most recent theft from a council building, a number of computers were taken from Barnsbury Complex, in Offord Road, Barnsbury, last month.
All the equipment was later recovered after being dumped outside.
Other thefts have occurred at the council’s Laycock Street offices and at its North Road building, where intruders kicked in the front doors but did not steal anything.
The council has refused to reveal details of prosecutions over the thefts.
Councillor Marisha Ray, Islington’s Lib Dem community safety chief, said: “Lots of people use Islington Council buildings, so it’s important we make them safe and secure for everyone’s benefit. “That’s why we have good security systems that keep staff, visitors and equipment safe, as these figures prove. “The police suggest that burglary and theft are, on the whole, opportunistic crimes.”