Mallon turns detective

Mr Mallon's mayoral chains were taken from Middlesbrough town hall

Former senior policeman Ray Mallon has returned to detective work in an effort to find those responsible for the theft of his £60,000 mayoral chain.

The former Cleveland Police officer, nicknamed Robocop for his "zero tolerance" approach to crime, was attending a function as Middlesbrough Mayor at the town hall when the chain was stolen.

Now Mr Mallon says he thinks the theft was an "inside job".

He had only worn the chain briefly for an official picture before it was put in a bag and left unattended in the robing room at the town hall.

He said: "By doing a little bit of detective work, I have come to the worrying conclusion the theft was an inside job rather than that of a sneak thief.

"By applying the basics of offender profiling I have narrowed down the suspects to the point in my own mind that there is one clear suspect who stands above all others.

"It is important to make clear I am in no way interfering with the police investigation.

'Second thoughts'

"I have every faith in Middlesbrough police and I hope I can persuade anyone with information to come forward."

The 30-centimetre-long chain is made up of 30 kite-shaped gold links.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: "We want anyone who knows the whereabouts of the chain to contact the council or police immediately."

Mr Mallon added: "A sneak thief would have no idea that the chain would be left unattended in that particular location, but there is no evidence to suggest other rooms en route had been searched.

"Perhaps the person who took the chains didn't expect things to go as far as they have, perhaps they are now having second thoughts about their actions.

"They have had their fun but now they should return the chain to the rightful owners."

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: "The chain is not an item that can be sold on, but there is a possibility it could be melted down."