Thefts from gardens are all too common but one Edinburgh family were amused to discover the identity of a mystery thief pilfering bits of their bike cover was a squirrel .
The bushy-tailed visitor was caught red-handed ripping bits of the tent and running off and dodging the family's pet cat who tried and failed to catch the sneaky rodent.
The family, who asked not to be named, have been scratching their heads for months wondering who could possibly be stealing bits of the tatty tent they use to protect their bikes.
But they got their answer and solved the case when their child spotted the crafty visitor ripping a bit of the material up and shouted for her mum to come quickly.
The dad said: "We've been wondering for months as bits of the cover have been disappearing. Our youngest daughter was looking out the window when she spotted the squirrel and shouted for her mum who just managed to catch the end of it on her phone.
"Our kitten Yami gave chase but he didn't catch the squirrel thankfully. If anyone finds bits of green tent in their garden they now know why."
Mum added: "We couldn't work out what was happening but we've now discovered the bizarre culprit. Not at all what I had imagined."
The pests are notorious for devouring anything they can get their hands on.
TV wildlife expert Chris Packham has previously said: “Squirrels will chew anything even if it's obviously inedible”.
