CCTV footage has finally unmasked a serial thief that for several months has been stealing milk and vegetables from doorsteps in South London.
The latest theft happened on Saturday (05/06/2021) at 4.26am on Pathfield Road in Streatham.
As the video begins the Oddbox filled with odd shaped vegetables worth £12.99 is delivered at 3.16am, the driver places the box on the doorstep and takes a photo to prove the delivery.
Shortly before sunrise at 4.26am, the serial offender, a bearded man in his 40s arrives at the property wearing dark trousers and top with a cream jacket.
As he rummages around the box and he spots two pints of milk, which he then takes and puts in a bag he left on the pavement – he then steals another pint of milk and the whole box of vegetables.
Moments later he is picked up on camera in nearby Rotherhill Avenue, its clear from the bulging black bag that he has acquired a significant haul and many will be waking up without milk to pour on their cornflakes.
Rob Paterson, a software sales specialist, installed the CCTV camera in his window after repeated thefts, and unfortunately for the man he can now be exposed after the lighter mornings have improved picture quality.
It does not appear his neighbour has reported the theft of her milk and veg box.
Police were only able to confirm they had received a report of stolen milk from a previous incident last month, but were unable to find any other related incidents.
Speaking today, Rob, 47 said: “This has been going on for a couple of months, on several occasions caught on CCTV the same individual has been stealing or milk and veg box deliveries.
“The thefts happen very early in the morning between 2.30 and 4.30 and I have reported it to the police who have taken statements and several videos.
“We use the delivery service to get quality free range milk in reusable glass bottles, with the aim to reduce our plastic consumption – I’m considering cancelling my order until something can be done about this person.
“I am waking up very early on delivery days now to grab the milk before it is stolen.”
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were contacted on Friday, 21 May by a man reporting the theft of two bottles of milk from his doorstep in Pathfield Road, SW16.
“Local officers have been informed, no arrests and enquiries continue.”
