A bungling thief spent several minutes loading shopping bags with his stolen haul at an east London newsagent's - but failed to notice the security camera pointed at him just inches away.
The footage, released today by the Met, shows the crook tapping a computer screen - possibly trying to open a till - before rummaging under the counter and stuffing something down his trousers.
After flashing a torch around inside the darkened shop, he sweeps goods off the shelves behind the counter into two plastic bags before taking a last look around, which gives the camera an unimpeded view of his face.
He spent so long raiding the shop that police had to edit down the footage before releasing it.
The raid happened on June 29 just after 3am, in Dickens News, in Green Lane, Chadwell Heath.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or phone the police on 101.
