Burglary ‘like a kick in the teeth’, says ex-mayor Stefan Kasprzyk

Published: 18 June 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB

FORMER Islington mayor Stefan Kasprzyk has warned neighbours to fortify their homes after thieves raided his house while he was in and stole his commemorative badge.

He described the feeling of having his Archway home invaded as like “a kick in the teeth”.

Mr Kasprzyk, until recently Junction ward Liberal Democrat councillor, and his son were both upstairs when someone smashed through their front door and grabbed cash, two lap-top computers, some computer equipment and his mayor’s badge.

The badge was presented to him by his successor as mayor, Liberal Democrat Anna Berent, when she took over in 2009.

Mr Kasprzyk’s name is inscribed on the back of the gold and silver medal, which bears the Islington crest and words “we serve” on the front. It is fixed to a yellow ribbon to symbolise his Liberal Democrat party allegiance. 

It was about four hours after Mr Kasprzyk first went downstairs on Tuesday June 8 that he noticed the front door of his 

St John’s Way home was open. 

He only realised when he went to get the mail.

He said: “The door was ajar. The lock had been ripped out of the door. We hadn’t realised anybody had been in. That’s the most disconcerting thing. 

“We were in the house. We’re on a main road. If it only took one quick thump we’d have put it down to a bus going over a pothole. It was opportunist, they couldn’t have been there for long.”

Normally, the badge is kept somewhere safer, but Mr Kasprzyk had left it on the table after attending an official function. 

And he said his laptop was out because he had been working all night.

He said: “They probably spied it on the table and raided the place. We’re now going round putting lots of locks in. We feel invaded. It’s uncomfortable when someone comes in to what is your very personal space. I would say to others to look to their own security. We were in the house and it was daylight. Have a look at your front door. It’s not so much that we get our own property back but that we stop this from happening to other people.”

Although Mr Kasprzyk’s son Dominic recently backed up the computer and saved family photographs and important documents, Mr Kasprzyk said: “Bits and pieces have gone forever. You don’t know how you feel until you lose it. Heaven knows what they will do with the mayor’s badge. It’s got my name on it. 

“If they try and melt it down it won’t be worth anything. But it is a memento. While I had it, it was nice but now it’s gone I really feel quite hurt.”

Islington Council has agreed to commission a replacement, providing Mr Kasprzyk – or his insurance company – cover the cost.

Islington Police Trainee Detective Constable Louise Morris from the Burglary Squad said: “I appeal to anyone who may have come across this unique medal or any of the other stolen items to contact police in confidence on 020 7421 0150.”