A Broughty Ferry publican has turned to Facebook in a bid to track down a thief who stole a new £500 hanging light fitting from above the heads of serving staff.
John Black, owner of The Fort, said he was in the dark over why the woman pinched the light which is “absolutely useless” without its power supply.
CCTV footage shows the thief reaching up to take the light, which was only installed two months ago as part of a refurbishment, then joking with friends.
Mr Black said: “The most annoying thing is that it’s wired into the ceiling so it’s absolutely useless without the top fitting.
“You see the girl reaching up and pulling it down and she puts it straight in her bag. It’s probably in a bush somewhere.”
Mr Black posted news of the theft on the hotel’s Facebook page, and followed up by posting images of women he alleges may have been involved in the theft.
Some have criticised him for this direct action, but he says he just wants the light back.
“I have spent the last three and a half years renovating a business that has been in my family since 1981. I didn’t want anything but the light back.
“If it was off-the-shelf I would have had it replaced and end of (story). These lights are bespoke and minimum value of £500 each and take weeks to replace.”
He added: “It’s the fact that it was done so blatantly at one of the busiest points of the night. There were over 10 bar staff and not one of us noticed it.
“It’s actually right above the bar. I’d probably have lost the plot if I’d seen it happening.”
The light was taken around 12.15am on Sunday and Mr Black said he only realised it had been taken later that day when a customer asked if it was being repaired.
He said: “When I checked the CCTV I was bending down to pick up a glass at the time and I didn’t notice. For five minutes after it they’re killing themselves laughing.
“There’s not a clear image of the girl that took it, but she’s in her mid twenties to early thirties with long dark hair and about 5ft 6in.
“The lights are £500 a unit and it was bespoke made so it just ruins the whole look. I’m going to have to wait on another one getting made.
“We’re actually going to move the lights up, just so they’re out of reach.
“They’re supposed to be at the level they are but I’m not taking the chance any more.
“Two years ago we put hair straighteners in the toilet and they were ripped out of the wall.”