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By ROISIN GADELRAB
 
Knifemen shut worker in cupboard

£4k laptops in Town Hall heist

KNIFE-wielding robbers calmly signed a Town Hall visitors book before forcing a charity worker to crawl into a cupboard and then making off with £4,000 worth of computer equipment.
The attack, which happened last Monday at the old Hampstead Town Hall on Haverstock Hill, saw terrified staff threatened as the raiders ransacked offices.
But yesterday Dr Alan Tomkins, the chief executive of the Interchange Trust, which runs community, arts, and mental health services told the New Journal he would not turn the centre into an “Alcatraz”.
Adding security had been stepped up he called the thieves “despicable”, and likened them to criminals who assault lollipop men, saying: “Somebody said we’ll have to keep the place locked up, we almost feel like we should provide a metal fence around the place but this defeats the purpose of the centre.”
The thieves tricked their way past reception, stopping to sign the visitors book, before forcing a graphic designer at knifepoint onto the floor.
While one thief stripped the victim of his watch, his wallet and his mobile phone, an accomplice packed away seven Apple and Samsung laptops.
The designer, who was working late designing leaflets for local charities, was then forced into a metal cupboard while the robbers made their getaway.
The charity worker eventually managed to escape, calling on a colleague to raise the alarm.
The victim, who is in his late 20s, was left shaken by the ordeal and has taken time off work to come to terms with the experience.
Chief executive Dr Tomkins commended the victim, saying: “When I saw him speaking to police officers he looked white as a sheet. He had the courage not to oppose them and let them get on with the job. He’s a very bright, helpful, cheerful person.
“It’s despicable that people break in to a charity and steal from its staff. Why should they be put in the firing line?”
Forensic officers are examining the visitors book for clues and officers are sifting through CCTV evidence.
Detectives are appealing for information from anyone who may have seen the two offenders.
Both wore hooded tops, while one had a moustache and the other masked his face with a checked bandana.
 
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