Theiving

[Geoff Endacott]

Two traders had items stolen at Trainwest yesterday. As soon as I was made aware of the situation, the exhibition security team tailed the suspect. He did not stay at the show much longer, probably because he realised that he was being followed.

We now have the registration number of the car in which he left. (I will not say his car, because it might not be his.)

This is now a matter for the police.

Geoff Endacott
Exhibition Manager, Trainwest

[scotsoft]

If this person turns out to be the culprit, I hope he feels the full force of the law.

Well done for getting the security team involved quickly enough for them to tail him 

cheers John.

[Caz]

Name and shame as well so we all know what rotten b* he is.   

[Skyline2uk]

 

Saw a much better liveried one (South West Trains  ) for £69.00.

Skyline2uk

[OwL]

Cut their F*****g hands off. That all thieves deserve in my books.

[Tom@Crewe]

I wonder if the stolen goods were for the thieves own layout or profit.

Maybe the forum could post pictures and details of models and so all can keep their eyes peeled for the items.

[scotsoft]

These dummy security cameras can be bought in the £1 shop, they have a flashing red LED which is powered by 2 x AA batteries.  If there were a couple of these set up on a layout/ stand with some suitable cables leading from them to somewhere under the layout/ stand and located so the flashing LED was visible to punters then they might be enough to scare them off if they think they are on camera 





cheers John.

[dr deltic]

Its a pretty low thing but inevitable especially with the convenient size of N gauge for the sticky fingered brigade to rob. I have to be honest I never feel entirely comfortable at exhibitions when its busy and you can be easily distracted.

Its a pretty sad state of affairs for the traders (especially those who its their livelihood) when they are taking a hit of that magnitude on a regular basis. I was at Syston exhibition earlier in the year when a fellow exhibitor pointed out an individual who had been caught on the rob very recently from another exhibition and was quite vocal in identifying same person who promptly left wearing his trademark baseball cap.....maybe worth having a picture of known offenders for exhibition managers/stewards to be made aware of the identity if offenders are clearly identified.

Stay vigilant people! 

[Trainfish]

I was at Melksham on Saturday and have to say that as far as the layouts went it was the best show I've been to yet, thanks Geoff. However, I did get a feeling that something wasn't quite right and I didn't stay as long as I might have done. Firstly was the backpacks, there were FAR too many of them. I'm sure they were banned last year. Secondly the BO, we've all experienced that I'm afraid. Finally, and I don't know if I left before the thefts or after but I felt that some traders were really watching certain people. Fair play to them and I did wonder if maybe something had happened. It made me feel uneasy even though I was 100% innocent and it's a shame all others aren't. I did also notice on 1 stand that all the N gauge stuff was furthest away from me (near the vendor) and the OO nearest to me. This made it difficult to see exactly what some of it was but in hindsight I can understand why now.

By the way, I took my little Corsa van with the company name on it so I think I'm safe as my boss hasn't called me in yet 

[Bealman]

Those dummy cameras are a good idea, John especially with some wires running from them. A couple of prominent stickers around the stall or layout to go with 'em would enhance the effect. The cameras sold by my local electronics store here in Oz (Jaycar) come with a sticker in the box.

[Tank]

I used to fit CCTV, so if I see a 'camera' with a flashing red light then I know it's a fake!     

[Claude Dreyfus]

I have always been wary of the light-fingered brigade with the layout. Static trains are not towards the front...indeed it is quite a stretch to reach anything from the viewing side...but we have a number of roads that are at the front, and vehicles are small enough to be nicked easily. We have a perspex sheet along the front of the layout, and a noticiable lack of vehicles unless there are substantial barriers...something provided at the Crawley show last weekend.

It is sad that this happens, but where you have a combination of lots of people, plenty of small and valuable items in reasonably easy reach, and a high probability that the owners of such items will be regularly distracted, this is perhaps inevitable.

Blaming the organisers for such situations is of no benefit...there is only a certain number of eyes the organisers can provide! Also, there is sadly not a standard profile of an exhibition thief...they come in all shapes, sizes and ages... It is about trying your level best to be vigilant yourself, and looking out for your fellow exhibitors/traders where you can.

[scotsoft]

I used to fit CCTV, so if I see a 'camera' with a flashing red light then I know it's a fake!     

Simple solution, just do not put any batteries in then no flashing LED   

[Newportnobby]

I used to fit CCTV, so if I see a 'camera' with a flashing red light then I know it's a fake!   

Shouldn't that be CPTV..................Chris Parker Tank Vision

[Fratton]

Or £39.99 and a laptop and you can have real time CCTV displaying and recording on your laptop, I have one in my sons room instead of those rubbish baby monitors,,,