WATCH: “What is happening to St. Helier?” Brazen daylight theft caught on camera

Sunday 23 July 2023

Islanders have been thanked for their help identifying a woman who nabbed a box from outside a St. Helier home in a "shocking" daylight theft.

The brazen crime, which took place around 18:30 on Victoria Street, was fortunately caught in full by the homeowner and former Town Centre Manager Daphne East's Ring doorbell camera.

Shaken by what had happened, she took to Facebook where she posted clips of the footage in the hope of identifying the wrongdoer.

"Someone just stole the box outside our home tonight in Victoria Street. Do you recognise her? Please DM if you do... What is happening in St. Helier?"

After being viewed by thousands and being shared hundreds of times, the box re-emerged – having been dropped at another house down the road. A neighbour then called the police, who were then able to return it to Ms East.

In the footage, the culprit – wearing sunglasses, a striped top and carrying what appears to be a white dish rack or clothes airer – can be seen walking past the property when the storage box catches her eye.

Standing on the pavement, she then reaches through the property's metal fencing to examine the box.

Then, having entered the small courtyard in front of the home, she can later be seen dragging the box out of the gate and back onto the pavement.

She then closes the gate and can be heard saying, "sorry!" to a passer-by.

The footage has racked up more than 20,000 views within 24 hours of being posted, was shared around 300 times, and provoked scores of comments from "shocked" and "gobsmacked" islanders.

"I cannot believe what I have just watched. Where on earth are these people's morals?" Kerry Goguelin said.

"My jaw is on the floor! I hope someone recognises this thief!" said Lara Roche.

"What a polite burglar closing the gate after the theft!" Emelita Robbins noted.

Ms East told Express that there was fortunately nothing inside the box.

One commenter noted, "thank goodness she didn't come back for the bike too!"

Announcing the box's return around 21:30 on Sunday night, Ms East shared her gratitude with everyone who had helped.

"Thank you to everyone who shared my post yesterday. The box is back. The person dropped it at the wrong house two doors up and the kind neighbour called the police," she said.

"It's a shame people don't respect other people's property. So the power of YOU all helped," she added.