HOTEL staff are furious after raiders escaped justice despite being caught on CCTV and one arrested at the scene.

Police said they could not prosecute because of a lack of forensic evidence.

Staff raised the alarm after spotting two hooded men on security cameras trying to break into the bar at the Hotel Rembrandt in Weymouth at midnight.

The duo also ripped a television from the wall of an unoccupied hotel room but dumped it as they leapt 15 feet from the ballroom roof trying to escape from the police.

Officers caught one man but hotel staff said that they were later told that officers couldn’t pass the file to the Crown Prosecution Service because there was no forensic evidence, such as fingerprints, from the scene.

Hotel Rembrandt general manager Massimo Menin said: “We are absolutely furious at this decision.

“Where is the justice? Is it true then to say that if someone breaks into your home, steals your television and is caught on your doorstep by the police that unless you are actually holding the stolen goods and you haven’t left any forensic evidence behind that you can simply walk away.”

He added: “Surely someone trying to break into a bar, attempting to conceal their identity by wearing a hoodie and who is seen jumping from a roof and running from the police has something to hide? It’s madness and I think the police and the government should be ashamed.”

Mr Menin said that he was told by the police that the Crown Prosecution Service wouldn’t take the case on because there wasn’t supporting forensic evidence and that trespass was a civil rather than criminal matter.

Deputy general manager Matthew Thorndale-Finn said they accepted that the police could only operate under the rules set by the government but that it seemed absurd as the men were recorded on CCTV.

He added: “We have a very, very good CCTV system and have paid thousands for it.

“It has footage of these people jumping from the roof and the police chase.”

Dorset Police said that officers were called to the hotel on Dorchester Road at 11.44pm on July 25.

A spokesman said: “Officers attended the hotel and after reviewing CCTV footage arrested a 26-year-old man from Derby in connection with the incident.

“This man was later released without charge as after a thorough police investigation there was insufficient evidence that he had committed a criminal offence.”

The Crown Prosecution Service did not want to comment.

Any witnesses and information about the incident can call 01305 222222.