A callous thief walked off with 19 bottles of milk earmarked for primary school children.

He watched from the shadows as the milk was delivered to the Sheppey school and then swooped under the cover of darkness.

Security cameras at West Minster Primary School in St George's Avenue, Sheerness, captured the brazen act which left 150 children aged three to six years without their morning milk.

Martin Walker, the school's site manager, said: "The milkman delivered 19 2-litre bottles of milk to the school for the children to have at break times.

"Thirty-eight seconds after the milkman left, a hooded person stole the milk leaving the children without any to drink. Needless to say, the children were very upset.

"I don't know if any other schools have been targeted but someone must have been following the milkman to know where he was delivering at that time in the morning."

The theft happened just after 2am on Tuesday. Police were informed and given copies of the CCTV footage.

Caught on camera - the milk-snatcher

All under-fives are entitled to free milk in nursery and reception classes. Any milk left over is given to Year 1 pupils.

The children have "snack time" where they have milk and fruit every day supplied through Government schemes.

Mr Walker said: "We have our milk delivered in four-pint cartons and then we pour it into cups for the children. That way they can have as much or as little as they like."

He added: "Members of Year 1 Violet class were very sad when they were told someone had stolen their milk."

The video clearly shows the milkman dropping off the milk at the school gate.

Then a shadowy figure appears 38 seconds later. A car is parked out of sight with no lights on. After the fourth visit to steal the milk the headlights of the car come on and the car drives off.

News of the theft is also circulating on Neighbourhood Watch sites to alert other areas.

To get the latest updates on ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from the Isle of Sheppey