A CLUB manager has released CCTV of a masked man armed with a hammer who ransacked his premises – claiming police “aren’t doing anything”.
Frank Martin helps to run the Shottstown Miners Social Club in Penicuik, Midlothian, which was broken into at 4am last Saturday.
Frustrated by what he claims is a lack of action by police, Frank posted chilling CCTV footage of the break-in on Facebook.
The 45-year-old says Police Scotland have done little more than give him a crime number and tell him to claim on insurance.
That is despite another recent break-in at nearby pub in which the same crook is thought to have been caught on CCTV.
Frank’s footage shows the criminal entering the miners’ club, dressed in a Lonsdale hoody, brandishing a hammer and covering his face with a balaclava.
The man calmly walks around the building before leaping into the bar area and making off with nearly £150.
Speaking about the break-in, Frank said: “I took a phone call from the alarm company in the early hours of the morning to say the club had been broken into.
“The guy smashed the shutter and leapt into the bar and took £149. It could have been well over a thousand but luckily we’d emptied the bars before we left.
“I don’t think he’s local as he didn’t seem to know the place well but he’s obviously fit with the way he moved around.”
He continued: “We only see about an inch of his face so it could be anyone and will be hard to catch him.
“But I don’t think the police are doing anything to be honest. They’ve given us a crime number to claim the insurance but I don’t think they’re doing much else.
“So I just released the footage to see if we got any names. The same name has come up three times but you can’t take the vigilante approach on these things or you’ll get into bother yourself.”
Shocked Facebook users were quick to react.
One wrote: “Someone is bound to recognise him. Hope they catch him soon.”
One commented: “Absolutely horrible.”
Whilst another added: “F*** sake. Someone bound to recognise the scum.”
Police today confirmed that inquiries are ongoing and that anyone found guilty will be “robustly” dealt with.
Sergeant Michele Lindsay from Penicuik Police Station said: “We are investigating a break-in to a business premises in John Street, Penicuik.
“The Shottstown Miners Social Club was entered around 5 a.m. on Saturday 14th January and a three figure sum of cash was stolen from the gaming machines inside.
“Inquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible and anyone with information that can assist officers with their investigation is asked to contact police immediately.
“The public can rest assured that we treat all reports of housebreaking with the utmost seriousness and have a range of initiatives ongoing within Midlothian to tackle acquisitive crime offences.
“Anyone found to be involved in crimes of this nature will be robustly dealt with.”
