A Swindon man had both his money and his possessions stolen after his car was broken into outside his property.

Henry Locke Wheaton had returned from a spot of shopping on Tuesday, February 7, and was taking the bags into his home as he left his car unlocked.

The pensioner lives in the town centre and had parked his car outside his property while he unloaded the boot but was interrupted as nature called.

After going to the lavatory, Henry did not lock his car door and the vehicle was subsequently broken into in the early hours of the following Wednesday morning.

“I feel daft as I had rushed to use the toilet and had forgot to lock my car in my haste,” he said.

“It is the first time I have forgot to lock it in ages which is just my luck.”

The thief broke into the car at around 4am on the morning of Wednesday, February 8, and most of his actions were recorded on Henry’s home security camera.

Dressed in a white hoodie and tracksuit bottoms, the man proceeded to steal Henry’s money from the latter’s vehicle.

“He walked around the car and noticed the anti-theft light was not on and must have realised it was unlocked,” the pensioner revealed.

Swindon Advertiser: Footage from Henry's camera shows the thief approaching the car.Footage from Henry's camera shows the thief approaching the car. (Image: Henry Locke Wheaton)

“He went into the driver’s door and stole around £20 of cash that I had in there.”

The opportunist criminal did not stop there though as he also raided the vehicle of several items, with some being somewhat peculiar.

“He then walked around the back of the car and took a compass and a small set of binoculars from the passenger’s glove compartment,” said Henry.

“Weirdly he also took the dehumidifier box which I cannot understand. Why take this as it only costs a pound? He must have had a use for it!”

Originally from Lincolnshire, Henry moved over to Swindon in 1974 but has only encountered something like this once before since arriving ion the Wiltshire town.

“I had my tyres done 15 or more years ago but I have never had my car broken into before this,” he remarked.

After being asked how he feels regarding the incident, Henry was defiant but was ready to move on quickly.

“He was a chancer and he must have been familiar with the car,” he suggested.

“I haven’t reported it to the police as they won’t do anything about it.”

“My warning to others is always make sure that your car is locked as chancers are out there.”