Two men caught on CCTV stealing presents from underneath Christmas tree in south London

Gifts including jewellery, photographic equipment, a tablet and a laptop were stolen from the home days before Christmas

Detectives are investigating a burglary after two men were filmed stealing presents from underneath a Christmas tree in south London.

Gifts including jewellery, photographic equipment, a tablet and a laptop were stolen from the home days before Christmas, Scotland Yard said.

Both of the suspects are believed to have climbed over the rear garden fence and then broken into the house.

Once inside, police said the suspects left dirty footprints as they carried out their search and “wrecked cuddly toys, puzzles and games of the victims’ baby as they searched the home”.

Officers were called to the property in Mitcham on Monday 14 December. CCTV from the victims’ property shows the two men first entered the property at 9.59pm on Saturday 12 December, when they took the presents from under the Christmas tree.

They returned to steal more items at 5.43am in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The first man is described as in his 20s and of medium build, with thick eyebrows. He was wearing a zip-up top with three stripes on the shoulders and the hood up, jeans, trainers and gloves.

The second man is also in his 20s, black and of slim build with a dark beard. He was wearing a dark zip-up jacket over a light-coloured hooded top, loose fitting trousers, dark trainers with a reflective strip on the heel, and gloves.

Additional reporting by PA