A BREAK-IN

There was a break-in at the cinema last night. They came in through the front door, using a crowbar to prise the lock, and took the flat-screen TV that sits in the window and runs trailers and adverts, plus the cash in the till (roughly £200) and all of the sweets on the rack. Not, however, the chips, popcorn or liquorice.

They were in there a long time, going through all the shelves both downstairs and upstairs, plus the area under the seating (which has nothing in it). Fortunately, they weren't interested in the computer or any of the other equipment upstairs, nor did they do any damage to the seats or anything else. They left the way they had come in, by the front door.

Given what they went for, their lack of interest in the equipment and the methodical way in which they searched the premises without vandalising anything, my guess is that it was someone with a drug problem. They need cash to buy drugs, and often need sugar to keep them going until the next fix.

However, that's merely a guess from someone with an interest in finding the culprit. The only thing that's certain is that the police are not interested in finding them. After we had reported it, they turned up three hours late and looked very bored. I don't expect to be summoned as a court witness any time soon.

Walter Blotscher