Hope they crack it! Police launch month-long investigation into £1.65 theft of SCOTCH EGGS

Avon and Somerset Police issued appeal for witnesses to Scotch egg theft

Jokes took to Twitter to mock the attempt to tackle 'hard-boiled criminals'



A police force has become the butt of jokes after appealing for witnesses to the theft of a packet of Scotch eggs worth £1.65.



A woman was caught on CCTV walking into a branch of the Co-Op in Minehead, Somerset and picking up the budget snacks before eating them and leaving without paying.



Avon and Somerset Police apparently spent a month investigating the crime before launching an online appeal in a bid to identify the woman.



Stolen: Police have put out an appeal to find a woman who shoplifted a packet of Scotch eggs (file photo)

In a post on Facebook, officers wrote: 'The theft has been reported to police and an investigation has begun.



'If you recognise the woman, contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101 and quote 9774/14.'



However, the petty nature of the offence led dozens of web users to mock the force for its over-zealous policing.



BBC presenter Jeremy Vine wrote: 'It's all kicking off in Minehead - after investigating for a MONTH, here's what the police have got.'



D. Reid Macpherson joked: 'They will have difficulty cracking the case.'



Paul Connew said: 'Am I too hard-boiled by thinking the cops' brains scrambled by trying to crack it? Farcical.'



Target: The theft took place at the Co-Op supermarket in Minehead, Somerset

'Puncroaker' added: 'Well done Somerset police, targeting the hard-boiled criminals.'



And Chris Wright said: 'Got to nip it in the bud early, today it's Scotch eggs, tomorrow pork pies, pretty soon they'll have a full picnic.'



Avon and Somerset Police has now deleted the appeal, after a witness came forward claiming to know who the thief was.



A spokesman said: 'We take all crimes that are reported to us seriously. Using social media can be a valuable tool for us and take just minutes to do.



'Last month two women were arrested within hours of a robbery appeal being published and we've also been able to return stolen property to their owners.



'On this occasion someone rang with a name within two hours and we are currently looking into this information.'

