Second Burglary at No HQ

Computer Networks Down.

Apologies to all for the interrupted service over the last few days, but this has been caused by disruption to the computer networks and a second burglary.

After the first burglary on the night of Wednesday 6th October it was assumed that it was a random 'opportunist' theft involving our petty cash...£60, 80 euros, 2,000,000 lire and 10 Australian dollars, and our digital camera.
The acrobatic and gymnastic skills involved in getting through the 3rd floor window had the police baffled and SOCO shaking their heads. The following day the computers seemed to be playing up, and on the morning of Friday 8th October the main computer system ceased to function. A remarkable coincidence?

We are currently awaiting (today) for a Forensic Computer Analyst to examine the office systems to see if it is random and coincidental, or a deliberate attempt at sabotage.

Damage from the Wednesday break-in was cleared up and files replaced in drawers. There was no wanton destruction or damage and the crime scene with the empty cash box laid open on the chair next to the window and a few drawers laid open and a few envelopes scattered. Something just didn't sit right. Kids usually mess everything and graffiti the walls. Thieves going to such lengths to get in would have taken the fax machines, ink cartridges and computers.

On Monday morning we arrived at work to find that we had been broken into again. This time there was nothing in the petty cash and nothing appeared to have been taken from our office. However, the coffee shop downstairs lost a few bottles of beer, some CD's and a jar of chocolate sauce had been opened. Entry and exit was through the same 16x28 window and across the very steep rooftops. We had jokingly ruled out Prescott from the first burglary because of the size of the window. This time it appears we could be looking for an alcoholic, ex-gymnast or circus performer, not afraid of heights but with early onset diabetes and a poor taste in music.

We had mentioned in the office on Friday that we would get the office swept for bugs on Monday, so the second burglary may also have just been a coincidence.

Hopefully we can catch up on the backlog of news stories that have been running in the press and can get back into the regional assembly fight having been 'sidetracked' for half a week. I am sure that eveything is totally innocent and that the bloodstained clothing taken from behind one of the computer stations will throw up a DNA match of a local career criminal. It would be surprising if there were no match because, as the police have remarked, this 'unusual' break-in does not appear to be the someone's first step on the crime ladder.

As I write, reinforced security bars have just gone up at the windows and it is starting to look like a prison in here. The sophisticated alarm system will hopefully now deter even the most committed burglar.