[logifail]

> The Met simply have limited funding [...]

Everyone has limited funding

> and more important matters to investigate

Everyone should prioritise what they work on!

Not to be harsh on the OP, but let's compared the total £value of what was stolen vs the potential [opportunity] cost to the police and other relevant authorities which would be required to catch and convict the thief.

If the laptop had something the authorities valued, they'd work significantly harder.