Egham charity box 'thefts' posted on YouTube

Feb 9 2010 By Russell Butt

VIDEOS of people appearing to steal money donated to a charity have been posted on the internet.

Ray Jones, who owns CJ Smith Electricals, in Chertsey, added CCTV cameras to his home in Vicarage Road, Egham, after suspecting cash donations to a disabled housing charity left in envelopes at the end of his drive were being pilfered.

He hoped the cameras would uncover what was going on and has now posted the resulting video footage on the website, YouTube.

He said: "I think, personally, a lot more people should put their footage on YouTube and expose people. I had emails straight away from viewers giving me names and addresses for the people in the videos, which I could then give to the police.

"As an employer I would like to know if someone I'm employing has the potential for theft. The whole idea was not to get a prosecution, but just to let their parents know that their kids were up to at two in the morning. I think the parents should take some of the clout that the police can't."

Mr Jones makes the collection each Christmas from donations passers-by who admire his extravagant and popular Christmas lights which cover his home.

A drop recent collections led Mr Jones to believe the donations were being pilfered and he was convinced the thefts resumed in the run up to Christmas last year (2009), so installed the cameras.

Mr Jones was initially sceptical about getting successful action from Surrey Police as he was sure a youth caught on camera was under 18, so opted to put his footage on the web instead.

But the incidents have now been raised with the Thorpe and Hythe Safer Neighbourhood Team too. They are currently reviewing the CCTV footage and are now in the process of carrying out enquiries to identify those responsible and intend to take appropriate action against anyone who is positively identified.

A Surrey Police spokesperson said: "Surrey Police will not tolerate any incidents of theft and this was a particularly cowardly crime where offenders have stolen money which was to be donated to charity.

“Traditionally the theft of charity collection boxes increases over the Christmas and New Year period but Surrey Police is working with residents, businesses and our partner agencies to reduce the number of offences.“The Thorpe and Hythe Safer Neighbourhood Team have been made aware of the incident and obtained the CCTV footage from the victim.

"The images have been reviewed and officers are in the process of making local enquiries to identify those responsible and will take appropriate action against anyone who is positively identified."

Mr Jones' collections go towards Wellmead Housing, in Chertsey, which provides homes for physically and mentally disabled people.
To view the videos, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv-IMOwjwOc&feature=channel