Electronic equipment including laptops and chargers was stolen from the premises if the Refugee Commission in Msida, but the thieves panicked when they realised police were on site and left the laptops on the roof, the police said today.

The theft occurred some time during the past night, the police added, with the thieves just making off with chargers and a computer mouse.

The thieves made their way into the building through a window on the upper floor, but as they were leaving with the haul, police from the rapid intervention unit were on site after being alerted by neighbours who heard suspicious noises at about 11.30pm.

Searches on site discovered the three laptops on the roof, the police said