Brazen thieves have targeted homes, stealing pot plants and hanging baskets worth hundreds of pounds from residents' gardens.

But the doorstep duo may have dug themselves into hole as some villagers on the Hoo Peninsula have captured them on their video doorbells snatching their floral containers and loading them into the boot of a car.

Doorbell camera footage captures thieves stealing plant pots from outside a house

It is thought the two men hit up to six homes on Wednesday night starting off at High Halstow travelling to Allhallows and ending up in Cliffe Woods.

Stacey Murray was in bed at about 11pm when she was disturbed by a noise outside and looked out to see a car drive off. She alerted her brother Ben who opened the front door and spotted two hefty pots containing lavender had gone.

Stacey, 30 who lives in View Road, Cliffe Woods, said: "What I had heard was gravel being spilt from the pots as they carried them away. Who could believe that people could stoop so low?

"The last thing you would expect to do is chain up your pots and hanging baskets."

Stacey, who works at a pharmacy in Northfleet, posted the incident on her local Facebook page and to her astonishment learned that they had struck at six other properties in the area.

Melinda Jackson's two large ceramic planters which she has had for 20 years along with cast iron baskets, all laden with her prized blooms, were also stolen from her driveway in High Halstow.

Mrs Jackson, 53, who runs a child day care nursery from her home in Gypsy Way, said: "The pots and baskets are worth about £300, but it's not about the money.

"I am a keen gardener and take a lot of pride in my flowers, watering them every day.

"People in the village compliment me on them and the children are always saying 'lovely flowers'.

"My garden looks bare and I'm not sleeping at night because of the invasion of privacy."

Television production director Lee Climpson had two bay trees in pots swiped from outside his front door.

Dad-of-two Lee, 41, of Reedham Crescent, Cliffe Woods said: "I thought this was a time when we are all supposed to be sticking together. Who would want to do something like this? That was about £180 worth they got away with. Am I supposed to cement them to the ground?"

Paula Galler, 50, who lives with husband Jason in Topley Drive, High Halstow also had her planters snatched on the same night.

She said: "They seemed to be getting bolder and some say they might be doing it in broad daylight now. Our CCTV alarm went off. My husband tried to run after them but they sped off. I am warning people around here to bring their pots in if they don't want them stolen."

Police spokesman Nicola Forman said: "Kent Police has received a report of theft of garden pottery and hanging baskets from outside a property in Gypsy Way, Rochester.

"It is reported the theft occurred overnight on Wednesday, July 8."

Anyone with information should contact Kent Police on 01634 792209 quoting reference 09-0287.

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