STEALING sweeties from a shop is usually a crime committed by children who should know better.

But today the Daily Echo can reveal CCTV footage allegedly capturing shameless adults doing just that – while in charge of children.

While their youngsters were being served in the busy shop, one of them is apparently seen setting an example by brazenly strolling in and out as he stashes giant jars of sweets under his T-shirt In all, more than £120 worth of boiled sweets was swiped from Sweet Thoughts store in Eling Lane, Totton.

Astoundingly, the suspect is seen taking a huge jar of sugar free sweets for diabetics before having the nerve to walk back in and putting it back after realising what they are.

Owner Robin Stratton, 68, said: “What a nerve. It was just so cheeky and arrogant.

“You can perhaps understand children doing this but when you have adults doing this it is unbelievable.

“How could they stoop so low?

“It was opportunist, they saw they’d a chance because it was busy and they went for it.”

Shop manager Christopher Hedges said: “We managed to capture it all on CCTV. There is one guy taking the jars, who looks very smug about it, but obviously someone else is helping him outside.”

Police say the theft happened sometime between 5pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday, June 1.

The man is in his 30s, 6ft, wearing a red T-shirt with black writing across it saying “Just do it!” plus black shorts and white trainers.

The woman was in her mid-20s to early 30s, 5ft 7in with brown hair worn in a pony tail. She had on a white V-neck top with a floral pattern and black three-quarter-length trousers.

They were with three to five children.

It is thought they might have been a family.

Anyone with information can call Zoe Harrison on the crime desk at Southampton Central on 101 or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.