A HEARTLESS thief dashed into a Largs grocery store in broad daylight and brazenly stole the tips jar staff tad been given over the festive period.

The cruel crook was caught by security cameras entering the Day Today shop in Nelson Street before running off with the container full of money.

He was then joined by accomplices outside the store who were keeping watch - with the incident being caught in full on CCTV positioned inside and outside the premises.

Management have told the News that around £80 was stolen which was due to be divided among the hard-working staff for their efforts serving customers over the busy festive period.

The video footage shows the masked thief creeping into the shop as after counter was left momentarily unattended. He is then seen to grab the jar full of notes before making off with a group of friends, all of whose identity are protected by hoods.

A spokesperson for the shop told the News that he was left 'sickened' by the incident.

He said: "This was a terrible thing to happen and very sad to see - it is heartless in the extreme given our dedicated staff work late into the evenings over the festive period only to have their tips taken away in this fashion.

"I can't believe that someone would stoop so low as to do this.

"The accomplices were outside the shop thinking they were being crafty but we have passed the CCTV footage of the incident on to the police and we hope that the culprit is caught."

The group were last seen running along Nelson Street towards the Boyd Street junction.

The Day Today is a busy convenience store in the town and part of a national chain of which has a presence on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. They have now shared the footage on their channels in the hope that someone identifies the gang.

Largs Police have confirmed that they have viewed the CCTV footage and say they are awaiting more information.

Anyone who can help with their enquiries is asked to call them on 101.