Councillor turns detective to recover stolen laptop (From The Northern Echo)

Councillor turns detective to recover stolen laptop

8:00am Monday 13th February 2012 in Darlington By Lauren Pyrah, Deputy Business Editor

COMPUTER ACTION: Councillor Martin Landers used his Facebook page and help from the community to track down his stolen computer

A COMMUNITY helped a councillor-turned-detective recover his laptop stolen during a Christmas Day burglary on his home.

Martin Landers was spurred into action after seeing the effect the burglary had on his young son, who was in the house at the time.

Rather than accept the loss of his computer, taken along with a small amount of cash, he launched a Facebook campaign warning others to be vigilant.

He also appealed for information on the social networking site before making his own door-to-door inquiries on the Red Hall estate, in Darlington, where he lives.

In total, 33 people came forward with information, including times and descriptions of the offender, which he passed on to police.

His laptop was also returned to him a few days after he started his campaign.

“It was my little boy’s reaction which made me want to do something,” said the Darlington borough councillor, who also works at Firth Moor Community Centre, Maidendale House.

“He said to me the night after it happened, ‘Daddy, I’m scared, my tummy feels funny’.

“That was really upsetting for me.”

Councillor Landers said he called the police the next day to check on the progress made, but was unable to speak to the community inspector, who was on holiday.

“I knew nothing was going to happen unless I made it happen myself,” he said.

“I decided I would go around doors, introduce myself as their councillor, warn them about a recent burglary and advise them to be vigilant.

“When I got talking to people, I revealed that it was my house which had been burgled and told them that my laptop, which contained information for my community work and pictures of my kids, had been taken.

“I then asked if they had heard or seen anything relating to the crime.

“As I was going around, I was also doing my duties as a councillor, helping them with any problems they had.”

He said the task had been quite daunting, but had restored his faith in the community.

“I will admit it was a scary thing to do, but I made myself walk tall and act like I wasn’t worried,” he added.

􀁧 A man has been charged by police in connection with the offence.