The hunt is on for the scum who stole Britain's largest inflatable planetarium
- Reference: 1730554212
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2024/11/02/planetarium_stolen_university/
- Source link:
Local police issued the alert after the inflatable, run by the University of Hertfordshire, was stolen by suspects allegedly driving a silver Land Rover Discovery on October 21. The owners think the crooks intended to take the trailer it was stored in, rather than the stellar dome itself.
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Have you seen this dome? - Click to enlarge. Source: Hertfordshire Police
“Our suspicion is that the thieves responsible wanted the trailer and got more than they bargained for with its specialist content. It’s why we are urging them to please return the planetarium and its equipment to us, which would be no use to anyone who didn’t have the expertise to operate it," [2]said Professor Dan McCluskey, Dean of the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science.
“We know that for many people, our planetarium is their first or only opportunity to 'visit' space in such an immersive and engaging way. We also know these sessions can have a really positive impact on children in particular, whether to inspire them to want to learn more about our universe, or to even start shaping our astrophysicists of tomorrow."
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The exhibit was used in local schools as a learning tool, but it was also a popular attraction at large events such as the internationally renowned World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) festival, founded by musician Peter Gabriel. That's because there's nothing like a mind-expanding experience at a festival to inspire an interest in science.
“The loss of the planetarium has devastated the university. It has wider repercussions for the public, including local schoolchildren, as they will no longer have the opportunity to explore and learn from it," said Police constable Demi Jessop.
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Keep your eyes peeled for the Peelers - Click to enlarge
“I am appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to get in touch. Were you in the area? Did you see suspicious activity or a silver Land Rover Discovery? Please get in touch if you think you can help."
If the motive for the theft was the trailer, then most likely, the exhibit had been dumped somewhere by criminals who didn't realize what they'd stolen. It's certainly going to be hard to convert into cash.
Anonymous tips can be sent to the UK's [7]Crimestoppers hotline. ®
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[1] https://regmedia.co.uk/2024/11/01/planetarium.jpg
[2] https://www.herts.police.uk/news/hertfordshire/news/2024/november-2024/appeal-following-planetarium-theft-from-university-campus/
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2024/08/28/airtag_mail_arrests/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/17/brazil_usdod_arrest/
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2009/01/12/royal_observatory_programme/
[6] https://regmedia.co.uk/2024/11/01/trailer.jpg
[7] https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
[8] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZyZatTK4FuHbq-6fef7pogAAAMo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[9] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Will make a good movie... when will the trailer be released?
Will make a good movie...
Dude.... Where's my planetarium ?
Re: Will make a good movie...
If it gets returned, the university will be over the moon.
Re: Will make a good movie...
Did you just think of that joke, or did you planet?
Re: Will make a good movie...
It has probably been circling for a couple of billion years.
Largest...
... suggests there are smaller ones out there. How many of these things are there?
When a Land Rover knows that it is being chased by predators, it will usually make its way back to the herd for safety. They need to nab it before it gets to Chelsea.
"was stolen by suspects allegedly driving a silver Land Rover Discovery on October 21."
It was stolen by culprits - or thieves if you prefer the term. If the police don't have any names lined up they don't have any suspects.
Easy rule: it's culprits whodunnit; it's suspects who you suspect dunnit.
Interesting how they do things in Hertfordshire. Down my way the "culprits" would have been driving a silver Jeep and the police would know precisely where they lived but be very very unlikely to pay them a visit.
Stats show 72% of car thefts in Hertfordshire go unsolved. Maybe if the local plod weren't so useless with vehicle crime then the thieves who took this wouldn't have tried it.
Dumped? There must be some money to be made!
I'd expect this to turn up, with a shedload of would be immigrants, floating off the French Coast. (When a Southerly breeze is forecast.)
“That’s no planetarium! It’s my battle helmet and I needed it back for the Thanksgiving Day parade.”
-Giant Inflatable Genghis Khan
Slight problem with that - the UK doesn't have a Thanksgiving Day.
Or does that mean the culprits are Leftpondians?
Well an orange USAian criminal is shortly going to insist that a presidential election was stolen from him.
I sincerely hope you are right.
Was it locked?
The trailer that is. I can't see a wheel lock or a hitch lock? But maybe it's round the other side?
They have found our hidden base on the moon. Send agents disguised as humans to steal the planetarium and erase the data!