A real life Humphrey is swiping daily pintas from people's doorsteps.

The crook has been snatching deliveries in thefts reminiscent of the 1970s' Unigate Dairy advert, which saw an army of striped straws steal milk.

More than half a dozen households have already been targeted in Colchester in the last few days, and police say more are being reported each day.

Most of them have been reported in the St Anne's and St Andrew's wards.

Police are now warning that anybody caught stealing milk will be arrested, as they step up their hunt to catch the culprit.

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