Crime-free island rocked by first ever burglary

The people of Colonsay in the Hebrides were shocked when news of a sneak-in theft spread across the island.

The small community of about 130 is used to leaving doors unlocked and does not even have a full-time policeman.

But earlier this week a visitor to Colonsay was convicted of stealing £60 from the home of an elderly man.

James Harvie, from Glasgow, had been carrying out some construction work on the island and stole the cash from a money box belonging to former RAF man David Sutherland, 75.

There was no escape for Harvie, who had to suffer two days under the suspicious eyes of the islanders before he was able to catch the next ferry back to the mainland.

Police were waiting for him and the 37-year-old pleaded guilty to the crime at Oban Sheriff Court on Monday. He has since been sacked by his employers.

Mr Sutherland has insisted that he does not wish to start locking his door, and the rest of the community agrees.

The shopkeeper at Colonsay's only general store, who gave his name as Mike, said: "Generally, people don't lock their doors at night - there's no reason to in such a small community.

"Everyone knows everybody else and even visitors tend to be regular ones who return frequently."

Saying that the theft was a shock, he added: "The man had no reason to do it, he had a job and so on.

"But we'll just carry on as before on the island. We have a great faith in human nature, which remains. It's not as if you can get a smash and grab or anything here.

"There are only three boats a week so there's not exactly a quick getaway."

Colonsay lies in the Hebrides, 15 miles south of Mull, and is one of the most remote communities in Britain.

It has a primary school (attended by about 11 pupils), a hotel, a general store and post office, a tea shop and a bookshop.

There is a doctor but no resident minister and it is policed by a local joiner who works as a special constable.

The theft is understood to be the first in current memory, though a number of cars were stolen and then abandoned back in 2004.

Keith Johnston, who edits local newsletter the Corncrake, told the Scotsman newspaper: "This guy came over and decided to go into Mr Sutherland's house.

"It was very unpleasant because he was among us until he could be taken back to the mainland on the ferry.

"Mr Sutherland's door wouldn't have been locked because many people here have just gotten used to not having any need to lock their doors or take their keys out of the car, as there's nowhere really to take them."