A THIEF was caught on CCTV stealing a mountain bike from outside a barber’s shop while its teenage owner was having a haircut.

The blue Voodoo Hoodoo bike, belonging to 16-year-old Marek Palt, was stolen from the front of JB the Barber Shop, on Newport Street, at around 6pm on Monday.

Footage from the shop’s CCTV camera shows the thief loitering nearby before he breaks into a sprint and snatches the bike.

The crime was spotted by staff inside the barber’s shop who give chase but the thief managed to get away in the direction of Thynne Street.

Mohin Afiz, aged 23, was working in the barber’s shop when he saw the thief take the £600 bicycle.

He said: “The customer was having his hair cut by a colleague and as I got to the till I got a glimpse of someone getting on the bike and shooting off. I’ve got the spray in my hand, I have seen it and I have frozen - like I’m in shock, then somebody in the shop said ‘mate, your bike’s just been robbed’ .

“I just ran out , I just saw him on the bike pelting round the corner. Myself and a colleague went out then a few followed behind.”

Mr Afiz added that the thief rode towards Thynne Street, turning right at The York pub and then headed down Back Soho Street before ‘shooting off’ over the road.

He was also seen riding the bike near Sainsburys on Trinity Retail Park.

Marek, who lives in Hall i’th’ wood said he paid £500 for the bike last March.  But he has since paid £100 to put new tyres with yellow logos  meaning it can easily be distinguished from bikes of a similar model.

He said: “I’m really shocked and angry someone has taken it off me. It takes quite a long time to save up at my age, it’s like someone has taken a huge chunk from me.  He has taken my bike away and he has taken my hobby away from me.” Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.