CCTV captures 'Grinch' stealing Christmas tree

CCTV has captured the moment a man stole a Christmas tree from a community hub.

The 4ft (1.2m) tree was taken from outside Boston Lithuanian Community Centre in Lincolnshire on 14 December.

Jurate Matulioniene, chairwoman of the group, described the thief as a "Grinch", adding he "put our tree on his shoulder and disappeared".

In the spirit of Christmas, she is appealing for the man to "reflect on what he has done" and return the tree.

Ms Matulioniene said when the volunteers arrived at the hub at Fountain Place the next day, they realised the tree, which they had bought and decorated two weeks before, had been taken.

After viewing CCTV footage, they were able to see the theft had taken place at about 21:40 GMT.

"Someone took away our community spirit, that we wanted to share with other communities," Ms Matulioniene added.

"I think it must make you happier.

"My husband said 'maybe this man needed this tree more than us'."

Ms Matulioniene said she was now hoping the culprit would return the tree next Christmas.

"We would like this person to reflect on what he has done," she said.

"Next year we wish his heart will grow and be so beautiful that he will decorate this tree even more beautifully than we did and he'll bring back our Christmas spirit."

Following the theft, the community group had this message to share.

"Respect public places and our community because Christmas is about giving not taking."

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