Advertisement

Caught on camera: Thief uses broom to steal pints of milk from nursery

A woman who used a broom to steal milk intended for children at a nursery is being hunted by police.

CCTV footage captured the alleged culprit strolling over to the entrance of Rosy Cheeks in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, at about 5am on 13 July.

The video shows her using a broom to grab two four-pint bottles – which she then drags under the locked metal gates before walking away.

The broom was able to pull the milk towards the thief. (SWNS)
The broom was able to pull the milk towards the thief. (SWNS)
Footage showed the thief using a broom to snag milk bottles which she dragged under the locked metal gates before walking away. (SWNS)
Footage showed the thief using a broom to snag milk bottles which she dragged under the locked metal gates before walking away. (SWNS)

The milk snatcher appeared to strike again on Monday morning when a person swept up the milk while disguised in a hoodie.

Staffordshire Police are now hunting the culprit after they were made aware of the thefts.

MORE: 'Disgraceful' vandals damage 1000-year-old tree in Sherwood Forest

Nursery owner Rose Dingle, 41, said: “We are assuming it is the same person but we don't know for certain but their M.O is the same.

“On both occasions they used a broom to reach the milk cartons and struck around the same time so they obviously know when the milk is delivered.”

The milk was taken on more than one occasion. (SWNS)
The milk has been taken on more than one occasion. (SWNS)

She added: “What kind of person steals milk from a nursery? I know it’s not the crime of the century but it’s still out of order – they are stealing from children.

“It's really not what we need at the moment.”

MORE: Cruel pair push homeless man into canal after pouring beer on his head

Dingle said the nursery has now installed a parcel box to place the milk in so that it doesn’t get taken again.

“It is quite a poor area and I thought to myself that if it was somebody that was really struggling then they could have left a note saying, 'I'm sorry my children need milk’,” she added.

The milk was intended for the children at the Rosy Cheeks nursery. (SWNS)
The milk was intended for the children at the Rosy Cheeks nursery. (SWNS)

“I wouldn't have minded or even told the police but I've seen some footage from Clive Street opposite and she steals the broom from a garden and then uses it to get the milk.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact 101 or report online, quoting incident number 296 of 13 July.