Van theft suspects hunted - and they had no idea they were caught on camera

Police are hunting three suspects thought to have stolen a van - without realising it contained a camera that recorded their every move. Three men appeared not to realise they were being filmed while in a Vauxhall Combo taken from a drive in Copper Works Way in Blakenall, Walsall, on Monday, January 8.

The footage showed three men, one with a coat, with the hood up and also with a face mask, possibly a balaclava. The second man also had a hooded coat and was wearing a cap with the initials CNR on the left-hand side. He had no face covering.

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Later in the footage a third youth, wearing a hoodie and balaclava-style mask and head covering was shown. All were white. West Midlands Police said it believed the trio did not realise they were being filmed after the van was stolen. The van was later recovered, found to be damaged and the footage was recovered from the on-board camera.

The force said: “Can you help identify three men who we want to speak to about the theft of a van in Walsall? It seems they didn't realise they were being captured on a camera that was inside a Vauxhall Combo taken from a drive in Copper Works Way.

“The van, stolen on January 8, was later recovered. It was damaged but footage was salvaged from its on-board camera. Now we need your help to identify the three people seen inside it."

“If you know who they are, get in touch via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 20/41061/24. Do you have info but don't want to give your details? You can speak anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”