'Where are you?' Burglars foiled by security smoke at Robert Alan Jewellers in New Milton
BURGLARS who raided a New Milton jeweller got more than they bargained for when they end up blindly stumbling around the shop shrouded in security fog.
As reported in the A&T, a gang of masked robbers struck at the Robert Alan store in Station Road on 29th September, but failed to grab any “high value” items.
Images have now emerged of the hapless criminals fumbling about after their forced entry triggered a security smoke system, plunging them into darkness and leaving them struggling to breathe.
CCTV of the moment the smoke starts filling the shop shows the gang trying to outrun it, with one shouting: “Get to the back, get to the back!”
But their efforts were in vain and in seconds they are enveloped in total darkness.
The three robbers inside can be heard desperately shouting out to each other: “Where are you? Where are you?”
As they try to find each other, a recorded voice from the security system instructs them: “Stand still. This forensic smoke is harmless. Police are on their way.”
The shop posted CCTV of the raid on Facebook with a statement saying “extreme force” was used to smash a steel plate security door from its frame.
The used hammers and crowbars to break into display cabinets, with other suspects thought to have waited outside.
They did not manage to steal any “high value” items, said the owners of the shop., adding: “No doubt as a result of the multiple levels of security.”
The raid came amid claims of a crimewave in New Milton, and vigilante operations launched by business owners.
Glynn Purkiss, who began organising night-time patrols last week, said more volunteers are now needed to cover surrounding areas including Sway, Highcliffe and Bashley.
He told the A&T: “There has been more of a police presence in the town centre since last week. It is certainly a positive to have visible night-time patrols.
“However, the police are not local and they don’t really know the area so it is unlikely to be a permanent solution.
“I fear that although [criminals] have been pushed out of New Milton at the moment, because the business owners are taking part in patrols of the town and there is an increased police presence, this won’t be a permanent solution.
“I have no doubt that as soon as the patrols stop the trouble will be back. What we need is a long-term commitment to have more police on the streets – especially at night.”
Police promised to increase patrols and last Thursday charged a local man with a heroin offence after arresting him in the car park of Marks & Spencer on Spencer Road. He will appear in court on 1st November.
In a Facebook post, officers said: “Please be reassured that these incidents have been raised as a priority and we will continue to have a police presence in the areas impacted by this type of crime.
“To accompany these patrols, we will be carrying out stop and searches where necessary and making arrests, and dealing with other criminality that is identified in this area.”The smoke used by the jewellery store is marketed under the slogan: “If you can’t see it, you can’t steal it.”
It is a thermally generated white fog of glycol, or glycerine mixed with distilled water, which vaporises and then condenses in the air.
It is approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers as an effective way of preventing a thief stealing goods once he has managed to break into a premises.
