Burgled
Burglary is Britain's fastest growing industry. Last year one house in 15 was ' done In two years burglaries have increased from 700 to over 900 per day. Of those, only 100 will ever be cleared up. It's a crime that pays. There are no overheads, no tax, and only a one-in-ten chance of being caught. The incidents in this documentary film were recorded in Richmond upon Thames, an affluent suburb of London, over a period of only three days. As a variation to the sickening staple fare of breaking, entering and stealing, an old-age pensioner is robbed by con-men posing as Post Office engineers; a new kitchen and bathroom are hammered to smithereens - and a thief is actually caught. He is young, unemployed and pleads guilty to 136 offences committed in a mere 150 days.
The jail sentence he receives may do more harm than good. Meanwhile, the only sure way to beat the burglar in Richmond is to live in a state of siege or give up possessions altogether.
Photography MICHAEL RADFORD Film sound JOHN GATLAND Film editorLES FILBY Executive producer ROGER MILLS
Producer DESMOND LAPSLEY