A shocking video appears to show the moment a woman brazenly pinched a plant from outside an Italian restaurant in broad daylight.
CCTV footage from the popular Casalingo restaurant in Ainsworth, between Bolton and Bury, shows the woman dressed in a black coat and blue jeans approach the plant pots by the entrance and pick one up.
She then walks down Church Street towards the side of the building on Victoria Street.
Restaurant owner Joanne Riu said that the incident has "added insult to injury" during what is a difficult time for the business due to the government restrictions.
She said: "I was completely shocked when I checked the CCTV. It's cheeky.
"I've got another video from around the back where there's two men parked in a van and she put two of the plants in there.
"It's the worst time for someone to do that. They are only a couple of plans but they've been there since we opened and they've grown with us."
"To come along and steal them when everyone's struggling, it's just insult to injury."
The incident took place on Sunday (June 7) at around 8.45pm but due the restaurant having limited opening hours and only running a takeaway service, Mrs Riu only saw the footage yesterday.
She confirmed that the video had been passed to Greater Manchester Police. Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.
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