An opportunist burglar unplugged the sound system at the mayor's St George's Day ball and stole electronic equipment with almost nobody noticing.
What made the crime all the more brazen was that guests included the cabinet member for crime prevention, as well as his eight fellow cabinet members, three mayors and the leader of the council.
The ball was held at the Hilton Hotel in Waddon Way, Croydon, on Friday, April 21, to raise money for the mayor's charity.
According to one guest the evening was going perfectly until the master of ceremonies was in full flow introducing auctioneer Michael Carroll.
Then the sound from his microphone suddenly died. But because a new one was found seconds later, almost nobody realised that equipment worth £1,000 had been stolen.
Councillor Paul Smith, Croydon's cabinet member for public protection and crime prevention, said: "I wasn't aware of it at all. It reminds you how vigilant everyone has to be."
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