CAUGHT on camera – this is the moment a burglar entered a popular Southampton pub and stole around £5,000 from a safe.

He was filmed walking into The Rockstone in Onslow Road before wandering into the private area upstairs and taking the cash from an open safe.

Then he casually strolled out of the pub leaving the taps on behind him.

It was only when water started dripping from the ceiling of the bar downstairs that staff realised something was wrong.

Police are investigating the theft and want people to help identify the man in the pictures.

The incident happened just before 9pm on Sunday.

Security cameras captured the man walking into the pub talking on his telephone. He sat down near the end of the bar waiting for his opportunity to pounce.

After watching bar staff and customers he walked behind the bar and upstairs to private living quarters, where the residents were at the time.

He found the safe and removed a tub containing what it thought to be up to £5,000.

Having removed the cash the man put the tub in a sink, turned on the taps and returned to the bar, once again on his phone for a while, before casually leaving the pub.

Water pouring over the top of the sink and dripping into the rooms below caused minor damage.

Max Greenwood, landlord of the pub, whose motto is Be Excellent To Each Other, said: “I’m not angry, I’m disappointed.”

The male suspect is described as black with short, possibly shaved, dark hair.

He is more than 6ft, aged between 20 and 30 and muscular.

He wore a beige jacket, dark jeans and white trainers.

Anyone who recognises the man in the footage should contact Shirley CID on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity line on 0800 555 111.