GREEN-FINGERED police were caught on CCTV returning to the scene of a crime after digging deep to help a couple targeted by a brazen thief.

The shameless moment a woman walks into the front garden of Matthew Jones, 31, and Kirsty Dykes, 32, went viral following the couple’s plea for help to trace the culprit.

In the CCTV footage, the woman is seen walking along Battersby Lane armed with a trowel and plastic bag before walking into their garden to steal potted plants and a hanging basket.

The theft was captured on camera by a neighbour’s surveillance footage on May 13. To watch click here.

The couple, who are renovating the property, had recently paid £200 for the flowers and plants to spruce up the garden.

It was estimated around half of these plants were stolen.

Days later, the neighbour’s CCTV once again caught some uninvited but welcome guests.

Unbeknown to the owners, three police officers took the time to plant some of the stolen items which had been recovered by the force.

Kirsty said: “We came back from work to find that some of the plants had been returned.

“I was surprised and grateful.

“I didn’t think I would get my plants back. I thought it was very nice of them to return and replant them.”

Police confirmed that no arrests were made but investigations are ongoing.

If you can help call Cheshire Constabulary on 101.