Thieves who broke into the offices of the Refugee Commissioner in Msida on Wednesday night left almost empty-handed, abandoning three laptop computers on the roof.

It was initially feared that some documents had been stolen from the office located a few metres up from the locality’s police station in the busy Rue d’Argens.

It later transpired no files were missing, while the laptops were discovered abandoned on the roof. The only items found missing were some electronic chargers and a computer mouse.

In a statement, the police said the robbery was probably foiled when two officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit went on site at 11.30pm following a report about “suspicious disturbances” on the roof office.

Though they managed to escape, the intruders left the laptops behind and a crowbar they had used to force open a second-floor window.

The police said any information in connection with this case could be passed confidentially by calling 119.