Cruel crooks brazenly walked into a care home for dementia sufferers and stole a TV from the residents’ lounge.

The theft happened at Bryn Haven, in Brinnington, Stockport .

It is thought some residents may even have been watching it at the time.

Staff have branded the thieves as ‘the lowest of the low’ and police have appealed for witnesses.

Rosaleen Charles, manager of the home, on Brinnington Road, said: “We had put a DVD on for residents to watch at 7.15pm on Monday and staff noticed it was missing at 8.10pm when the lounge was empty.

“I hope to God they didn’t take it when residents were in there. I think they came specifically for the TV – it seems very targeted.

“The thieves are the lowest of the low to steal from vulnerable people. I can’t believe how hard-faced they are.”

Earlier that day staff spotted a stranger in the car park wearing a ski jacket.

The TV, a 42in Toshiba flatscreen, had only been at the home for two months. It will be replaced.

Rosaleen added: “It is a big part of their lives. As a dementia care home we have a huge DVD collection of war movies and Carry On films as they stimulate memories from years ago.

“We have other TVs but our residents have their own particular spot they like. The next morning it was sad to see them sat there with an empty space where the TV should be.”

Police say the thieves could have known the code to the front security door, which has since been changed.

The same week there had been a break-in at nearby Brinnington Post Office, also on Brinnington Road.

A gang of three thieves broke in and stole £11,000 of cigarettes and £600 in cash before escaping on a motorbike.

A pay phone was also targeted by crooks on Brinnington Road. They ripped it from a wall and stole coins from inside

Anyone with information on any of the incidents can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police are also appealing to anyone who spotted a TV being carried in the area at the time of the nursing home theft to get in touch.