Sorry, DNA and CCTV isn’t enough for a prosecution
Salon owner’s fury as CPS refuses to take break-in suspects to court
A Hair salon owner has hit out after police shelved an investigation into a break-in he reported – despite him providing damning CCTV images and blood found at the scene.
David White handed footage to officers which showed a man trying to force open a window at the salon with a crowbar after the burglary in June.
Two suspects were arrested but were later released without charge – and Mr White has now been told no further action will be taken. Prosecutors said that, realistically, the evidence was insufficient to achieve a conviction.
Mr White, 60, who has run Whites hair and Beauty in Glenfield, near Leicester, for 19 years, said the value of the items taken – some hair products – was nominal. But he added: ‘That’s not the point. We have CCTV, we have photos and we have blood.
‘What else do they need? Things like this affect people’s lives and make them feel down.’
Mr White had installed the security camera just a few weeks earlier after a previous unrelated burglary. The camera then caught the two salon burglars red-handed, carrying out their 4am raid. in the one of the burglars – who was wearing yellow gloves – tries to force open a window while his accomplice stands by.
When that fails, he smashes the window and climbs through, where he helps himself to items inside before running away.
Mr White said he also found blood traces at the scene. Leicestershire police insisted it carried out a ‘thorough’ investigation and passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service – but said officers were told there was not enough evidence for a conviction.
The CPS said a senior lawyer will review its original decision follow footage, ing a complaint by Mr White. A spokesman for Leicestershire police said: ‘Officers carried out a full and thorough investigation into the report, which included the review of CCTV and forensic samples being taken from the scene.’
The suspects were interviewed then released with no further action, and the spokesman said Mr White has been updated on their decisions. A CPS spokesman said: ‘When the CPS makes a decision not to charge, cases can be looked at again under the Victims’ right to review scheme or by way of police appeal. ‘A second review of this case will now be conducted by a senior lawyer which means that it would be inappropriate to provide any further detail at this stage.’