Worth reporting theft?

[Appleby]

Hi all,

I rent a garage in London zone 2, about 10 minutes from my flat. Owned by the council. The garages are in an underground block of about 50 garages with big gates to get in. Each garage vents through to its neighbouring garage.

I left some tools at the back of my garage (mostly in big tool boxes) including a brand new cordless angle grinder. When I went to retrieve it last night I found it had gone. The only way I can see it would have been stolen is through the vent at the back of the garage. It was the perfect size to fit through and nothing else has been taken or was in reach of the vent.

I feel stupid for leaving it within reach of the vent. I've checked and my neighbour has now boarded the vents up from his side. Surely nobody is stupid enough to steal when there is only one possible culprit surely?

Would you bother to even report it? I assume even with a certain guilty person I'm only going to get a crime number and told they have bigger priority crime to solve?

[HantsRat]

How do you know it was through the vent? Cheap garage locks are usually sh*t and sometimes any old key can open them. The same as desk drawer locks.

[Bigends]

It doesnt matter how it was stolen - its gone, Yes report the theft

[Red 4]

Yes - report it.

Even if the offender cannot be located/ nothing proved, property sometimes turns up again.

Get the item(s) on the system.

[Doofus]

A cordless angle grinder sounds like a perfect tool for future B&Es. Yes, report it.

[TooMany2cvs]

Got the serial number?

[tony wright]

Do you know the owner of your neighbouring garage? Obviously he's not a friend if he's prepared to steal from you, but you could confront him. His reaction would probably give the game away and after you tell him the police are involved and he should expect a knock on the door he will be crapping himself. At least you will get a small piece of satisfaction.

[bobtail4x4]

Hmm a rat trap ( bigger mouse trap) left in the same spot would be my answer.

or this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metal-Rat-Trap-Mark-4-S...

[Appleby]

Unfortunately I don't know who owns it but the council do and they are willing to provide the information to the police. I didn't think of what else it would be used for, I'd hate for it to be cutting chains on bikes.

I've reported it now. Didn't realise you could do it as a web form so even easier. If I hear nothing else I will chalk it up to people are st.

The rat trap idea is good, my friends have suggested using compressed air to blow a kilo of glitter through the remaining opening in his vents.