Burglar who grabbed keys through cat flap caught on CCTV by owners

A thief who targeted a Dagenham house managed to get hold of the keys by reaching through the cat flap.

On August 22, 2022, Daniel Mead, 43, looked around the property first and then went down a side path, climbing through a bush. He then reached in to grab the house keys through a cat flap and then unlocked the back door.

Mead stole valuable items including perfume, toy figurines and a handbag before leaving the Dagenham house.

Police were alerted about the burglary and detectives located Mead and promptly arrested him.

The 43-year old from Upper Rainham Road, Havering was taken into custody and gave no comment answers during the police investigation. Mead was sentenced to three years imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday October 27, after pleading guilty to burglary. He was also fined £228.

"This was a very frightening ordeal for the victim who was not at home but was able to see him via CCTV,” PC Adam Sparrow of East Area Command Unit, said:

"She called us and we were quickly on scene to arrest him. Meade has a long history of offending, including burglary offences.

"Many burglaries are opportunistic, as is the case here. I would advise Londoners to keep storage of their personal items well out of sight and reach of any thieves, as well as investing in deterrents such as lighting and CCTV - the availability of which left Meade with no choice but to plead guilty here."

The number of robberies in London has decreased this year. There were 24,424 robbery offences recorded by the police in London in 2021/22, according to figures from Statista. In 2019/20, there were 40,030 in 2019/20, the peak for robbery offences in London during the provided time period.