SOUTHAMPTON: Rogue steals toys knowing full well they were intended for sick children HE must be Hampshire's meanest and most brazen thief.

Under the noses of staff and in the full glare of security cameras, the thief snatched charity gifts being collected to bring a smile to the faces of children spending this Christmas in the city's hospitals.

CCTV footage passed to the Daily Echo clearly shows him grabbing four toys and stuffing them under his jacket before swearing at staff at a Southampton branch of Pizza Hut and running away.

Police and charity organisers are now appealing for readers help in a bid to track the thief down and recover the toys.

The culprit, pretending to be waiting to have his food order taken, leaned across the counter and took the toys while staff had their backs turned.

Then he brazenly asked staff who the toys were for before taking a fourth teddy bear right in front of them.

He then ran out of the takeaway with the toys, swearing at a manager who tried to stop him.

The thief struck at the Shirley High Street branch of Pizza Hut - one of the collection points for the hospital toy appeal.

Pizza Hut area manager Tim West, 33, saw the man as he ran out of the takeaway.

He said: "We are hoping we will find the person who did this.

"If it was just one toy then we could have replaced it, but he took four. I'm annoyed that this should have happened as we have tried to get involved with the community.

"He actually asked staff about the toy appeal after nicking the three toys, then took another one and legged it across the road."

The thief has been compared to film character the Grinch - the miserable green creature that lived on a mountain and stole an entire town's Christmas presents and decorations.

The toys were donated as part of the Christian Community Information Directories Toy Appeal and were destined for children spending Christmas in Southampton's hospitals.

Appeal organiser John Butler aims to collect up to 500 toys to guarantee that every child in hospital over Christmas gets a present.

He said: "It's the lowest of the low, stealing from sick children. I'm very saddened by this and can't understand why someone would do it. If it was his child in hospital, what would he do?

"The people of Shirley have been very good by going into stores and buying these toys for our appeal.

"These are sick children that are in hospital and will be away from their homes and family for whatever reason.

"If this man has a conscience he should bring the toys back.

"There is someone who knows this person and I would like to know who he is.

"If he is caught I would like to stand him in front of one of these children and ask him why he stole the toys."

Drop-off points for toys also include The Crown pub in Shirley High Street, the Floral Shop in Shirley Road and Sainsbury's in Shirley precinct.

A spokesman from Hampshire police said: "This thief has been very callous. After all, he must have seen that these toys were being given to children at the hospital this Christmas.

"Luckily he has been caught on CCTV, so we hope that will help us track down the culprit.

"However, if he has any sort of conscience we would appeal to him directly to just come forward and return the toys."

l The thief is described as 5ft 6in, in his early 20s with short, fair hair and a northern accent.

Do you know him?

If so contact Hampshire police on 0845 045 45 45, the Daily Echo newsdesk on 023 8042 4520 or e-mail newsdesk@soton-echo.co.uk.