Camden police use Flickr website to reveal the massive scale of power tool theft in borough

Published: 7th July, 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

THOUSANDS of photographs of a massive haul of stolen power tools have been released by police in Camden in a bid to return them to their rightful owners.

In the first operation of its kind, officers have turned to the Flickr photo-sharing website in the hope that owners will spot their missing goods.

Police storage rooms were transformed into an Aladdin’s Cave of stolen drills and hammers after a raid on a site in Camden Town last October. The loot retrieved during that all-day operation also includes electrical equipment, SatNavs, bikes and laptops.

Officers are hoping people will log on to the inter­nationally known website – considered the YouTube of still photography – and recognise their lost items. There are 2,786 photos uploaded to the site.

Detective Inspector Gary Randall said: “We have already managed to identify many victims and return their stolen property. 

“I hope that by launching a page on Flickr it will allow more people to look through the images and recognise their property.” 

The Flickr images, which went live on Tuesday, include pictures of property registration details and serial numbers to help members of the public identify their missing belongings. Each piece has been given a unique reference number. 

Since its launch this week, the site has already been viewed more than 500 times. Those claiming the items have to say how they can prove they are the owners by naming distinguishing marks.

DI Randall said: “The aim of this campaign is to establish if these items have been reported as stolen and return as many of these items as we can. 

“I would encourage anyone who has had power tools, electrical equipment, pedal cycles, plant equipment to visit the site.”

People who recognise their possessions are asked to email  Op.Diamante@met.police.uk with details of when it was stolen and any identification marks.