A bungling burglar (Shamsul Islam) is now behind bars after a series of bold thefts targeting bars and restaurants.

Shamsul Islam, 40, was captured on CCTV crawling on his stomach and jumping over bars to steal cash from tills, leaving a trail of forensic evidence that led to his arrest. At one takeaway, he left behind fingerprints and footprints.

In a separate incident, Shamsul Islam cut himself while breaking a window to enter another restaurant, providing detectives with a DNA profile that was used in court. The owner of the restaurant was alerted at 2:15 AM by his CCTV-linked phone, allowing him to witness Islam robbing his establishment live.

Described by Bury police as a 'career criminal', Shamsul Islam was sentenced to four years in prison for his burglary spree after being convicted at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court.

Shamsul Islam's crime spree began in August 2024, targeting businesses in Whitefield and Bury. During the spree, he discarded two disposable e-cigarettes in a car from which he stole a coat, linking them to his DNA already on file from a previous burglary.

On August 28, Shamsul Islam broke into a pub on Manchester Road in Whitefield—and while nothing was stolen, he returned to raid another pub on Bury New Road just an hour later, stealing £200 from the till while crawling across the pub floor.

On September 1, Shamsul Islam smashed a window at a hair and beauty salon on Radcliffe New Road but fled when disturbed. Just two days later, he returned to the same pub on Bury New Road, successfully stealing another £200 while trying to cover his face.

Shamsul Islam also targeted a takeaway and a restaurant on Sefton Street in Whitefield, with the owner observing the theft through CCTV.

Pc William Loughran from GMP Bury's Neighbourhood Crime Team commented, "Islam had absolutely no regard as he broke into small businesses in the Whitefield area, stealing from owners who were justifiably shocked to see him ransacking their livelihoods."

He continued, "Islam is a career criminal with no right to so brazenly enter these premises and steal. I thank the victims and everyone involved in the investigation that brought him to justice, highlighting the critical role of our crime scene investigators."

Related internet links: Greater Manchester Police