A BRAZEN thief has been caught on camera stealing parcels from a doorstep in Southampton.

Stephen Ray, of Glen Eyre Road in Bassett, is now warning others not to leave parcels outdoors after packages delivered to his home were stolen on Monday.

CCTV footage shows a man dressed in a black hooded jacket and face mask riding up the driveway on a bike at about 1.40pm before taking the packages and leaving.

The packages contained jewellery and clothes bought by Stephen's wife and their lodger.

Stephen said he sees more and more posts about stolen parcels on social media and worries for families shopping online this Christmas.

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The 63-year-old said: "It's no surprise he took the packages when they are all piled up like that in plain view of the street.

"Anyone passing by would see them and it just took one person taking advantage of it.

"When it comes to these delivery companies as long as they take a photo of the delivered package at your front door then it's job done on them.

"I don't know what the law is around this but it at that point on the responsibility of the homeowner and the police won't do much on it.

"I recommend for anyone to be aware of when they are getting post and to make sure it is brought inside as quickly as you can.

"I just see on social media people post about their post taken and I am worried as more people are starting to buy online for Christmas."

Stephen said he has lived in the property for just under 20 years and has previously suffered break-ins.

He said: "I would recognise him more from the bike than from anything else.

"I zoomed in on the video but with the mask and hood, you can't see him at all."

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