Security cameras captured the moment a bungling thief lifted up a fence panel to try and steal patio furniture from a garden.

The hapless crook was forced to flee empty handed when he discovered the large garden sofa was anchored to the ground.

The thief is suspected of targeting the house in Wynnstay, Wrexham, and a neighbouring property on four previous occasions.

The latest attempted theft was captured on film in the early hours of Saturday, October 23.

In a seven-minute clip the man forced the 6ft fence panel up to the top of two concrete pillars.

He then hauled the two-seater chair through the gap but was unable to carry it away after discovering it was attached to the ground by a metal cable.

The video shows the thief struggling to free the furniture before he gives up and walks away.

The female homeowner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "My son, who lives next door, had his shed broken twice and all his fishing stuff was taken, then he came back for the bikes - which they have thankfully got back.

"That's why I had the CCTV camera fitted - the garden furniture was the fourth incident."