BURGLARS who targeted a derelict office block in a night-time raid stuffed CCTV cameras down a toilet to avoid being identified.

The crooks stripped electricity cabling and ransacked Parkeston House, in Adelaide Street, Parkeston, after smashing their way through a first-floor window.

They ripped the CCTV cameras from the walls and shoved them down an on-site toilet – unaware the cameras were waterproof.

The building was used as an office block, but had lain empty for years until an application for ten flats on the first and second floor of the building was approved in 2011.

Miheer Mehta, executive director for agent Project Nine Design, said: “The scheme was progressing along in a positive manner, but this has set us back. According to one of the contractors, the break-in happened between 10pm and 12pm.

All the electricity cabling which runs through the building was taken.

“The value of what was stolen, together with losses from delays, will total £15,000 to £20,000.

“The SD card was taken out of a camera which showed images of the two thieves.”

Mr Mehta added thousands of pounds had already been invested in the project and the theft would halt progress significantly.

“The last thing we want to do is abandon this, we wanted to invest and make something contemporary and clean,” he said. “It’s disappointing for the whole community, as well as the contractors trying to achieve their deadline for the build.”

Tanya Ferguson, district councillor for Ramsey and Parkeston, said: “It is very peculiar, unbelievable really and quite shocking.

“I suspect this news will worry the residents of Parkeston –the site has been run down for years and this is the chance to turn it around.”

Anyone with information about the burglary, which happened between 10pm and midnight on Monday, should call police on 101.