THIEVES pinched a hot tub from a family’s garden on the eve of the hottest day of the year.
CCTV filmed the two raiders draining water from the six-man Lay-Z-Spa at 2.45am.
They left, only to return 30 minutes later to roll the empty tub off the patio and across the garden before pushing it over a 6ft fence.
Sam Van Crugten, 26, and sister Sarah, 23, woke to discover the theft last Wednesday — the day before the nationwide sizzler.
They were looking after the home in Worthing, West Sussex, for parents Karen, 48, and Paul, 47, who were on holiday in Majorca.
Karen said: “We used the hot tub all the time.
“The grandkids loved it, now it’s gone. It’s such a shame.
“We have CCTV of the low-life scum in the act stealing it.
“They came in and took out the pump and then went away and were happy enough to risk coming back half an hour later.
“They just rolled it away and basically threw it over the fence into the park behind the house.
“When it’s empty I’d imagine it would be more awkward than heavy to carry. I’m gutted.”
She said cops told the family it was unlikely the £299 tub would be recovered.
Sussex Police confirmed the theft had been reported.
