West End hire company Genesis Television could go into administration this week as the result of a burglary and disputed insurance claim.

In July thieves made off with£350,000 of HD cameras and VTRs, a haul that amounted to 75% of the company's entire stock.

All six of the company's employees face redundancy, but holding company Genesis Plus will continue to provide a hire service.

Genesis Television sales and marketing director Paul Beale said: “This burglary has taken us from a developing group to one that faces administration.”

This is just one of several break-ins that have plagued the broadcast facilities sector this year.

VMI plans to relocate, and is considering Pinewood, as a result of an armed robbery in October, when six masked gunmen stole “a considerable stash” of broadcast equipment.

Managing director Barry Bassett said he believes the kit was “stolen to order”. Following the robbery, which was VMI's third this year, Bassett set up a forum for the industry aiming to address security best practice.

Another casualty was The Hire Company in Bristol, which lost£70,000-worth of broadcast kit in August. Production and broadcast company TwoFour was targeted two months ago in Plymouth but the thieves were thwarted by security measures.

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