Just caught up on this.
I assume you have contacted you'r MP regarding this matter.
With hind sight your husbandry whilst away on tour is a bit untidy,
The attempted payment of £70 expresses Guilt.
Proof positive of Guilty Knowledge
Enough there I would have thought under the Theft act
You reported the Theft to police?
Did you get a Crime Number??
Couple of good Nicks there I would have thought for a Keen copper, including the scappy for handing / disposal of stolen goods.
The VRN should be in his books.
Small claims sounds good.
As I said a while back you need to keep a steady rate of fire on this.
Martin