THIS is the moment CCTV cameras captured a man seemingly using his little girl as a decoy to take a second hand phone from a shop.

The incident happened at Baseo, in Southend High Street, happened while another woman seemed to distract staff.

Workers posted the video on Facebook in an effort to identify the man, who took a Samsung Galaxy A13, worth £151.

The video shows the little girl sat on the counter while the man, dressed in a grey polo shirt, looks suspiciously over his shoulder.

A red-haired woman, wearing blue jeans and a quilted jacket, then approaches the counter while the man kisses the girl on the cheek.

As the shop assistant turns away the man is seen ducking behind the girl and reaches behind the counter to grab the phone, before putting it in his pocket.

Adam Keys, who runs the second hand electrical shop’s social media account, said the incident was “despicable”.

It happened at exactly 4.05pm on Saturday, July 2.

He said: “They came in as a couple. He was taking a massive risk because the door to our back office is there as well. He grabs it while no-one is walking in or out of that door. It’s all pretty disgusting. For two people to gang up like that is pretty horrible, but then to use your child as a human shield is really despicable.”

After grabbing the phone, the man wheels the pushchair around, picks the girl up with one arm and plonks her in the seat.

The video has been shared more than 6,000 times on the social media site. One viewer said: “I can’t believe that poor child had to be involved in something like this. So sad.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating the theft of a mobile phone from Baseo in Southend High Street. Anybody who recognises the man, who is white, in his mid to late 20s with dark hair, skinny and wearing a grey polo shirt, is asked to contact police on 101.

View at echo-news.co.uk