Two nine-month-old puppies are without their cage after a thief stole it from their owner’s drive.

The black cage had been put outside for less than 15 minutes, when it was spotted by an opportunist who put it in the back of his van.

Judith Smith and her husband Kenneth, of Morden Way, Sutton, hid the cage on their drive whilst they hoovered, but when they went out to get it they realised it was gone.

Puppies Treacle and Marmite belong to Mr and Mrs Smith’s daughter, Janice Hawker, 49. The two labrador collie cross puppies, also lost their favourite rug, which was inside the cage when it was stolen on May 8.

Mrs Smith, 74, said: “I was so incensed, it is a shame for the puppies. I am cross that you can’t leave something in your own drive without it being stolen.

“I know people sometimes put things out for others to take, but they usually knock and ask first. It’s not as if our drive was open, it has double gates.”

A neighbour said she saw what looked like a delivery van, stop outside their drive. She watched as the driver took the cage before driving off. Although she thought it was strange, she didn’t make a note of the vehicle’s number plate.

Mr Smith, 77, said: “My daughter had the cage for about 5 years and the puppies slept in it on occasion. We just want to warn other people to be vigilant.”

Police believe it may have been stolen for its scrap metal value.

If you saw anyone acting suspiciously loading a cage into a vehicle or have any information that can help police with enquiries please contact Sutton police station on 0300 123 1212 quoting ref no: 400 5185/11.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymous on 0800 555 111.