A DISTRAUGHT family have made a heartfelt plea to thieves who snatched their puppy from a Fareham car park.

Five-year-old Elle-May Brockway has been inconsolable since her beloved boxer Tiger-Lilly was taken.

Thieves stole the nine-week-old pup from Elle-May's dad Kevin's van as he shopped at Makro in Dewar Close, Segensworth.

They smashed one of the vehicle's windows, while it was parked in the store's car park, and grabbed the pedigree dog at about 12.30pm on Thursday.

Railway worker Kevin, 44, from Southbourne, near Emsworth, said: "I was only away for 15 minutes. I left her in the van under a blanket but they must have spotted her.

"This has really broken Elle-May's heart. Every time the door or the phone goes she thinks it's someone bringing her back. She doesn't really accept it. She thinks someone has borrowed her."

The puppy cost £450 but without her pedigree papers she will be worth only a fraction of that.

Kevin added: "The money doesn't bother me one bit. I just want the puppy back."

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Tiger-Lilly or who witnessed the crime can contact Fareham police on 0845 045 4545.