The £2,000 DJ Gear Heist

A burglar used a nitrous oxide canister to smash the window of Bread and Butter Collections in Shoreditch, London, and steal DJ decks and cables worth approximately £2,000. The store owner, Ben Whittle, had been sleeping in the shop since a previous burglary 11 days earlier.

Whittle confronted the thief but he escaped on a bike.. The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are investigating both burglaries but have made no arrests so far.

An Echo of Sydney's 2024 Institutional Buy-up

The repeated burglaries have forced Whittle to sleep in the shop to prevent further thefts, disrupting his sleep and work. he is getting quotes for security shutters costing between £2,000 and £3,000, but is unsure where to find the funds.

Whittle had been preparing for the launch of his second location, making the burglaries even more devastating. The first burglary on May 28 involved two men on bikes who smashed the window and stole designer items worth £6,200.

Who is the Unnamed Buyer?

The nitrous oxide canister used in the burglary is typically used for whipping cream but has become a recreational drug known as 'laughing gas' or 'hippy crack .' In recent years, these canisters have been increasingly used by criminals to break windows, as they are small, easy to carry, and can shatter glass with force.

The Metropolitan Police have noted a trend of such canisters being used in burglaries and are working with local businesses to raise awareness . Community members in Shoreditch have expressed concern over the string of burglaries affecting small businesses.

What Auditors Flagged in the May Filing

The repeated burglaries have forced Whittle to launch a crowdfunding campaign to help cover the cost of security upgrades and to replace stolen items.. The campaign has already raised over £3,000 from supporters, but more is needed.

Police continue to review CCTV footage and are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information about the suspect in the yellow beanie or the two previous thieves is urged to come forward.