Police are appealing for witnesses to a business burglary at T.M. Barber Jewellers in Newport last week (Thursday 11th September).
On the day in question, at around 09:40, a man stole a gold chain after being shown it by a member of staff.
Officers would like to speak a man seen on CCTV in the area at the time as part of our appeal.
He is described as:
- White
- Aged in his 20s
- Slim build
- Light blonde hair
- Wearing a dark hooded top
- He had a distinguishing brown mark on his right middle finger, and discoloured teeth
A Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson has said:
“If you were in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious, please call 101 and quote 44250411696.
“Additionally, we’d like to hear from you if you have CCTV, dashcam, mobile phone, or doorbell camera footage that may assist our enquiries.
“You can also share any information with us online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website – https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
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UPDATE TUESDAY – A 36-year-old Newport man has now been arrested on suspicion of theft.
He remains in custody at this time.
At least the picture has been released fairly close to the incident and not months later as normal. However, if the suspect is from the mainland he will be long gone so why even this delay? Surely in this modern day any pictures can be shown almost immediately.
I suspect that the issue is more to do with both response time from the police, the need for a forensic check that the image IS the suspect, and getting the police to do what they are paid for. You could argue that had the image been released to all officers asap then they could have swamped the area and found him (probably around the Library) within a short time. The same goes for the ferry companies getting a copy in the ticket booths and on-board the ferries.
Perhaps the biggest detection method will be the Police themselves. I will place a small wager that this guy is known, or well known to Officers and he may well have been identified already.
We have the technology, we just need to learn how to use it.
Facial recognition would solve the problem
Said the policeman