A woman is alleged to have brazenly taken flowers from town centre planters and told astonished onlookers she was entitled to them.

One shopper took pictures that appear to show the woman loading her shopping trolley with flowers from a pot in Sutton High Street before leaving with them.

Stunned, the shopper who took the pictures asked what she was doing and the woman is alleged to have said she was entitled to them.

Margaret Woods saw the woman on Saturday. She said: "This woman clearly has no respect for the London Borough of Sutton she stole these plants from the pot bottom of Sutton High Street and when we were taking pictures she told us she was entitled to them and to stick our pictures up our a***!

"Youngsters from the job place opposite Asda are always getting the blame for this. I think it is disgusting, had it been one of those kids they would not have got off so lightly."

The incident has been reported to Sutton Council and the police who are investigating.

A council spokesman said: "The plants in our public spaces are there for everyone’s enjoyment. Taking them not only spoils the environment, but it is theft.

"We will not tolerate this kind of antisocial behaviour and we will work with the police to take appropriate action against perpetrators."

Do you have information about flower thefts in the town centre? If so contact police on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Your Local Guardian:

The woman next to the planter she allegedly stole from