A PAIR of thieves were caught on CCTV stealing children’s Christmas presents, including a 5ft giraffe, from a car.

Nick Swan, 57, who lives in Swan Lane, Wickford, has spoken of his anger after the yobs stole presents bought for his grandson Noah.

The thieves targeted his car at about 1.40am on Monday after Mr Swan’s partner came home from shopping.

She had accidentally left the car unlocked.

CCTV cameras placed at the house filmed the pair looting the car in the middle of the night. One of the men grabbed the toy giraffe from the car before rummaging around in the boot.

Mr Swan, who works as a painter, said: “It’s just disgusting to be taking children’s toys.

“Sometimes we think it was our fault because we forgot to lock the car but they shouldn’t be stealing in the first place. They also rummaged our boot and glove compartment.

“The presents cost £180. We bought a five foot giraffe for Noah and other toys and Christmas decorations.

“It’s not a lot of money, but it’s the fact that these people are stealing Christmas presents that were for a child. I don’t know what they’re going to do with those gifts, maybe sell them and get money for drugs. Luckily we are in the position to buy those gifts back again.

“They must have been prowling along the street to wait for an opportunity. I advise residents to stay vigilant and be careful.”

Police volunteer Sarah Keevil, 31, of Haslemere Road, Wickford, said: “Christmas is a very busy time and there are also opportunists out there.

“Residents should take extra care where they put their presents. Don’t place them under the Christmas tree because it’s a very obvious place.

“Don’t leave them in your cars too. Sometimes when parents go shopping with their kids, they leave presents in the car when they get home and they say to themselves they’ll get them in the morning. But that’s when thieves strike.

“It’s worth spending money for an alarm system in your car, they’re loud enough to alert the owners and startle thieves.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We were called to reports of a theft in Swan Lane, Wickford at around 1.40am on Monday.”