Issue 150

Student thieves hit police

04th December 2006

In an embarrassing incident that happened in the early hours of Sunday 19th November, police items were stolen from a police van that was parked on Bryn Road. The police had been called to a large party at 124 Bryn Road after complaints were made about the noise levels by neighbours in the area. When the police went in to break up the party and move everyone along they left their van doors unlocked, allowing thieves to get inside and steal a police coat, and what is rumoured to be a police notebook, containing notes on other criminal cases. Witnesses saw two people running away, down Bryn Road towards The Cricketers pub.

The day after the theft an e-mail was sent to all students from the Student's Union on behalf of the police asking for the items to be returned anonymously in order to avoid what was described as the undertaking of a 'very serious case.' Students were also encouraged to contact police community officer P.C Rob Davies with any information that they might have concerning the incident.

The host of the party on Bryn Road who wished to remain anonymous said, "It was a great party, however with the stealing of the jackets, the household has come under much unneeded pressure. I urge the culprits to return the items so that we can continue to have great parties at the snake pit!

"The opportunity is there for whoever took these items to return them anonymously to the police or Swansea University Student Union and I would strongly encourage the culprits to do so."

The theft has led the police to work closely with Swansea University Sabbatical officers. President of the Student Union, Owen Morgan said, "We haven't heard anything back from the email we sent out. If you see anyone at a fancy dress party looking like they've made too much of an effort on their police costume please let us know! People might find this incident very funny but it shows that the police are just as vulnerable as the students."

The incident is being investigated by the Uplands police station and not by the student police officers. The campus police officer, P.C. Peter Edwards said, "If properties are searched and the items are found then the people found to be in possession of them will be arrested for theft."

Although the incident has been the source of much amusement among students, and a source of major embarrassment for the police the case is a very serious one. If it is the case that a police notebook has been stolen and notes are contained on upcoming trials about violent criminals then justice for them may be jeopardised, leaving the possibility that they might reoffend. The police encourage anyone in possession of the items to return them anonymously and anyone else with any information of their whereabouts to call community officer P.C Rob Davies on 07969894905.

Pete Swan