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Posted by Editor on 27th January 2012 at 11:29 AM
CCTV of theft from RSPCA van during cat rescue
CCTV footage from a fire engine that shows a man stealing a PDA from an RSPCA van has been released.

At about 10.15am on Wednesday 25 January 2012, the RSPCA inspector Danni Jennings was with officers from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) offering care to a cat, that is understood to have been up the tree on Bramley Street for three days.

While she was busy, the offender went inside the van, stole the PDA and then left. The offender was not seen by the victim or GMFRS staff.

The footage shows the offender is white and was wearing a grey tracksuit with its hood up.

Police Constable Richard O'Connell said: "This is was an audacious theft by an offender who could not have been more than a few yards away from the victim and the fire officers.

"We are at the early stages of our investigation and would urge any witnesses to call us as soon as possible."

Broughton Crew Manager Martin Ingham said: "The RSPCA came down to take care of the cat, which had been stuck up a tree for three days. We got it down safely, but it's disgusting that the RSPCA lady who had just come down to do her job had some vital equipment stolen from her car. Our fire engine CCTV has been passed to police."

The victim, RSPCA inspector Danni Jennings, said: "I was literally 30 feet away from my van when it happened, but of course my attention was focussed on the cat we were busy rescuing from a tree.

"It's shocking that someone would steal from a van clearly labelled with the name of a charity.

"They probably thought it was a phone but it is in fact an operational radio which is completely worthless to anyone outside of the RSPCA. It is password protected and now it has been locked too, it won't do anything at all.

"Whilst it doesn't have any value in the outside world it's a key piece of kit in enabling RSPCA officers to do our job.

"My message to the person who took it is just to give it back - you can leave it for me at RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


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