Hapless burglar's attempted break-in caught on camera

A hapless burglar was caught in the act after attempting to break into a house just inches away from a CCTV camera.

Jake Smith tried to force open a bathroom window in broad daylight, completely unaware his face was right next to the recording equipment in Wednesfield, West Mids.

The unwitting intruder is captured in crystal-clear, colour footage by the camera trained on a garden gazebo, with the 24-year-old even flashing his face several times on CCTV during the botched break-in.

He eventually left empty-handed after being disturbed by a neighbour of his intended victim and fleeing the property.

In the 25-second clip, Smith, who is wearing gloves to avoid leaving finger prints, approaches the window and attempts to wrestle it open.

Smith, from Wolverhampton, West Mids, was tracked down after police released the footage of the incident and received dozens of calls from people who recognised him.

He was arrested on June 13 and jailed last Friday for 21 months after pleading guilty to attempted burglary at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

After the hearing, Pc Mick Walley, from West Midlands Police, said: “We were sure that someone in the community would know the man if we released the footage which was extremely good quality.

“Within a day of releasing the images we received enough information to be able to arrest Smith.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the local media and members of the public who helped us put this burglar behind bars.”