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Rob Ratcliff was the Content and Community Manager of IFSEC Global.com. He is a self-confessed everyman in the world of security and fire, keen to learn from the global community of experts who have been a part of IFSEC for 40 years now.
A bumbling thief stealing ladders and other equipment was caught on camera by a video surveillance installer.
The man was caught on camera by Barrie Smith, whose video surveillance installation van was parked in the driveway. The thief didn’t take Smith’s expertise into account when he walked up the driveway and stole the ladders.
Speaking to the Telegraph last month, Smith explained how he checked the surveillance images when he realized the equipment was missing:
I went straight to my CCTV and looked back through, and there he was, plain as day, helping himself.
He was not a very good thief. His clothing has some really big logos on, and he looked straight at the camera. He could not have been more obvious.
Smith put the images onto Facebook and YouTube, which led to an arrest and the return of the ladders, worth around GB pound 200. The man was issued with a police caution because of his crime.
A real good news story, and some great PR for Barrie Smith’s business and the effectiveness of video surveillance. Smith added:
I was offering a reward, but the person even said ‘I don’t want anything for it, I am just glad you have got your ladders back’.
It just goes to show the power of social media and a good CCTV system.
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Thief Steals Ladders From CCTV InstallerA bumbling thief stealing ladders and other equipment was caught on camera by a video surveillance installer. The man was […]
Robert Ratcliff
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safeNsane
August 19, 2013 8:18 am
That is just perfect on so many levels. I do have one issue though, if this is a security based company I would expect them to do some very simple things to protect their property like not leaving ladders laying in the yard. It’s almost like he was inviting this to happen so he could show the video.
I would have expected a security installer to have been a bit more aware of leaving a tool lying around that could either be stolen or used to aide a burglary. Not sure I would trust him with my security requirements when he leaves himself so vulnerable!
That is a very common concern, I have friends in the building trades who talk about how often materials are stolen from job sites. It just surprised me that they were left so close to a sidewalk. It’s almost like putting a sign on them that says steal me.
GSM-Secure
August 20, 2013 9:25 am
I have taken the liberty to re-write this article.. Enjoy Subject:’High tech’ security company fails basic security test!’ Article:Bumbling CCTV engineer Barrie Smith had his ladders stolen after leaving them vulnerable to any oppertunist thief and not locking them in a safe place or securing whilst stored outside. CCTV engineer Barrie Smith witnessed on CCTV his own ladders being stolen after leaving them in the front garden unsecure and for all to see. Being unlocked and on show, any oppertunist thief could walk by and help themselves. Although the CCTV footage was used to catch the thief who stole the ladders, it was suspected… Read more »
JonathanL
August 20, 2013 10:33 am
I agree it looks staged, it is funny to watch the guy step as lightly as possible yet stare at the camera for several seconds. The image quality and the lighting seem perfectly centered as well. Seems like a security camera commercial almost.
Most often our Video surveillance device is primarily deployed to deter crime but that shouldnt stop us from securing our our assets as exposing them to criminals could lead to temptation to steal irrespective of the presence of the surveillance gadgets.It is poor security logic to leave our doors open because we have a watch dog.
Hah, this is amazing. Well, my source was the Telegraph, but I was hoping to seek Barrie out myself and talk to him. Not sure the video is quite you’ve been framed material! Not enough falling over…
We have about 90% of our warehouse space and the area around it covered by cameras. The idea was to protect us from theft because we had our facilities or trucks broken into several times over the course of a month. Now we find that those cameras are more handy for seeing gear moving around our facilities. In short the cameras didn’t stop the break ins, improving other aspects like lighting and fencing did but the cameras are good for catching the odd occurrence on our property.
Kubix i.t.
August 22, 2013 5:40 pm
Hi, Thank you for your comments on my video of a set of our ladders getting stolen. Firstly I would like to say it is real and not staged, and yes the guy did get arrested. He was later let off with a caution as I was told he had very little previous!The camera an IP PTZ camera with IR. The reason it looks so well centred is because the cameras IR will go up to 90m and the ladders when only a few meters away from the camera, i.e. a bit close to get the spread of light.The camera… Read more »
Hi Barrie, and welcome to the community! Thanks for adding some more info around the story from the facts we already have. I agree we should be able to have our possessions on our land and not expect them to be stolen, but that’s not the world we live in. Of course if we did live in that world, the security market wouldn’t really have much to do!
@ safeNsane
I was wondering the same thing..why would they leave them right there for anyone to take? My husband is in construction and he owns many ladders that are stored outside. They are all chained together and to a post anchored to the ground. Not only does this prevent them from being stolen, but it also keeps a would be burglar from using them to gain entry to our property.
@ Electrosatcctv
You are so correct. I had a friend who thought he could literally leave his car unlocked and completely unsecured because he had a great security system. So one day he leaves his wallet laying in the console, sets his alarm (windows down, doors unlocked), and goes into the corner store; he was then surprised to find out someone simply reached into his open window and took his wallet without sounding the alarm……
@ GSM – Secure
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed your version of the article.
I, too, would like to know more about Barrie and the rest of this story! 😉
@ Barrie
Great to hear from the man who made the video! Yes you should be able to have your ladders on your property without having them stolen, I didn’t think that looked like a public sidewalk.
The quality of your video was very good, and I think it is great that social media aided in finding the jerk that stole your property.
That is just perfect on so many levels. I do have one issue though, if this is a security based company I would expect them to do some very simple things to protect their property like not leaving ladders laying in the yard. It’s almost like he was inviting this to happen so he could show the video.
Hah! That crossed my mind as well!
Forgetting leaving the ladders vulnerable to being stolen, what a great aid to a burglary at the house he is being paid to protect!
I would have expected a security installer to have been a bit more aware of leaving a tool lying around that could either be stolen or used to aide a burglary. Not sure I would trust him with my security requirements when he leaves himself so vulnerable!
That is a very common concern, I have friends in the building trades who talk about how often materials are stolen from job sites. It just surprised me that they were left so close to a sidewalk. It’s almost like putting a sign on them that says steal me.
I have taken the liberty to re-write this article.. Enjoy Subject:’High tech’ security company fails basic security test!’ Article:Bumbling CCTV engineer Barrie Smith had his ladders stolen after leaving them vulnerable to any oppertunist thief and not locking them in a safe place or securing whilst stored outside. CCTV engineer Barrie Smith witnessed on CCTV his own ladders being stolen after leaving them in the front garden unsecure and for all to see. Being unlocked and on show, any oppertunist thief could walk by and help themselves. Although the CCTV footage was used to catch the thief who stole the ladders, it was suspected… Read more »
I agree it looks staged, it is funny to watch the guy step as lightly as possible yet stare at the camera for several seconds. The image quality and the lighting seem perfectly centered as well. Seems like a security camera commercial almost.
Most often our Video surveillance device is primarily deployed to deter crime but that shouldnt stop us from securing our our assets as exposing them to criminals could lead to temptation to steal irrespective of the presence of the surveillance gadgets.It is poor security logic to leave our doors open because we have a watch dog.
Hah, this is amazing. Well, my source was the Telegraph, but I was hoping to seek Barrie out myself and talk to him. Not sure the video is quite you’ve been framed material! Not enough falling over…
Well if that’s the case, I took the bait and gave him some extra promotion!
If the burglar had been wearing a hat and some less distinctive clothing then this case would not have ended the same way, for sure.
Nice metaphor
very true!
We have about 90% of our warehouse space and the area around it covered by cameras. The idea was to protect us from theft because we had our facilities or trucks broken into several times over the course of a month. Now we find that those cameras are more handy for seeing gear moving around our facilities. In short the cameras didn’t stop the break ins, improving other aspects like lighting and fencing did but the cameras are good for catching the odd occurrence on our property.
Hi, Thank you for your comments on my video of a set of our ladders getting stolen. Firstly I would like to say it is real and not staged, and yes the guy did get arrested. He was later let off with a caution as I was told he had very little previous!The camera an IP PTZ camera with IR. The reason it looks so well centred is because the cameras IR will go up to 90m and the ladders when only a few meters away from the camera, i.e. a bit close to get the spread of light.The camera… Read more »
Hi Barrie, and welcome to the community! Thanks for adding some more info around the story from the facts we already have. I agree we should be able to have our possessions on our land and not expect them to be stolen, but that’s not the world we live in. Of course if we did live in that world, the security market wouldn’t really have much to do!
@ safeNsane
I was wondering the same thing..why would they leave them right there for anyone to take? My husband is in construction and he owns many ladders that are stored outside. They are all chained together and to a post anchored to the ground. Not only does this prevent them from being stolen, but it also keeps a would be burglar from using them to gain entry to our property.
@ annettet
I was also thinking that this guy was not very security conscious for someone working in the security industry!
@ Electrosatcctv
You are so correct. I had a friend who thought he could literally leave his car unlocked and completely unsecured because he had a great security system. So one day he leaves his wallet laying in the console, sets his alarm (windows down, doors unlocked), and goes into the corner store; he was then surprised to find out someone simply reached into his open window and took his wallet without sounding the alarm……
@ GSM – Secure
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed your version of the article.
I, too, would like to know more about Barrie and the rest of this story! 😉
@ JohnathonL
Maybe Barrie was just really good at CCTV installation, and not so good at physically securing hus property. 😉
@ Barrie
Great to hear from the man who made the video! Yes you should be able to have your ladders on your property without having them stolen, I didn’t think that looked like a public sidewalk.
The quality of your video was very good, and I think it is great that social media aided in finding the jerk that stole your property.