The cheek of it: Thief moons witnesses in getaway car during brazen robbery

This is the moment an alleged thief mooned witnesses and the CCTV. Photo / West Midlands Police

Police are appealing if anyone recognises an alleged thief's bottom after mooning witnesses during a daring robbery in the UK.

Police shared CCTV footage of two men smashing a vehicle window and stealing tools out of a nearby van in Coventry.

While one did the dirty work of smashing the window and stealing close to $1200 worth of tools, one of the thief's decided to pull his pants down and moon witnesses as they climbed into the getaway car and drove away.

The incident happened on August 1.

Despite police having fun with the CCTV footage showcasing the man's bare butt, they say this is no laughing matter.

In the video, the "cocky crook" poses for the CCTV as he returns for more goods.

This is the moment an alleged thief mooned witnesses and the CCTV. Photo / West Midlands Police

Coventry Police Detective Inspector Stew Lewis said of the mooning thief: "We've had a bit of fun with the video in the hope it will be widely shared and generate information about who might be involved.

"But these offences are no laughing matter. These brazen thieves have stolen tools worth thousands of pounds; tradespeople have been left out of pocket and badly inconvenienced.

"They've also brandished crowbars and metal batons during some of the thefts and we're concerned they may be prepared to use violence.

"We need to find these thieves. If you think you recognise them, suspect who may be involved, or have been offered tools for sale in suspicious circumstances, then please get in touch."

Police believe they have committed more thefts, with more than 40 thefts occurring against tradies in the area.

Police captured the same two on CCTV trying to steal items from another van just two days earlier.