VIDEO: Watch as thieves steal motorhome from Chesterfield business as police car drives by

In CCTV footage released by Autocraft Motor Caravans, criminals can be seen grinding the locks and causing sparks to open the front gate and make their getaway, at the same moment, a marked Derbyshire Constabulory police car drives past the premises.

The motorhome was stolen on July 16, 2020 at around 10pm on the Speedwell Industrial Estate in Staveley.

Joint business owner, Ashley Birks who runs the caravan company with his brother, Jonathan, said it took thieves just seven minutes after they broke into the complex to steal the The Roller Team Motorhome.

Autocraft Motor Caravans are now issuing a £1,500 cash reward for any information leading to the recovery of the vehicle that was taken while police drove past.

Ashley said: "I felt a bit let down and disappointed because of where they are because they are supposed to be the people on duty and aware, looking for anything in the corner of their eye.

“The theft seemed really suspicious.

"The motorhome was far too easy to take.

"To make it worse, as the thieves were cutting the locks on our gate, a police car drove straight by – sparks were flying everywhere so it’s hard to see how they missed it”.

Chief Inspector Katie Andrews said: “Officers are currently investigating the incident in which a motorhome was stolen in Staveley.

“As can be seen from the video footage a marked police vehicle drove past as the incident was occurring but clearly did not see anything otherwise the officer would have stopped. It is unknown at this time if the officer was responding to another crime, if their view was impeded or they were simply focusing on the road at the time.

“If anyone was in the area at the time of the incident, in particular any drivers who may have dashcam footage that could assist with our enquiries, then they can contact the force using any of the below methods, including reference 20000365994 in their message.”

Anyone who has any information should call police on 101 or send them a direct message on twitter @DerPolContact.

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