Pub staff in Stoke-on-Trent have been left cold by the audacious theft of a snowman from outside their premises. The bizarre incident, captured on CCTV, shows a man making off with the frosty creation from a wall near The Potter pub in Longton.
CCTV Footage and Pub's Humorous Plea
The theft occurred on King Street in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, on Friday, January 9, 2026. Video footage shows a group walking by before one individual spots the snowman, makes a beeline for it, swipes it from its plinth, and darts away.
Staff at The Potter shared the CCTV video on social media, joking that the perpetrators were auditioning for 'Gone in 60 Seconds: Frostbite Edition'. In a direct message to the thief, the pub wrote: "We hope you enjoyed stealing a snowman. Bold move. Really. Just so you know - we've got CCTV. Yes, it works."
They revealed the snowman had been nicknamed 'Sammy the Snowman' and was "minding his own business, spreading joy." The pub's plea concluded: "Return him quietly. No names. No shame. Or don't… and enjoy being forever known as 'the Person Who Nicked a Snowman'. Your move."
Public Reaction and Weather Context
The social media post prompted a flurry of humorous responses from the public. One commenter quipped, "He's only having an Olaf," in a reference to the popular Disney snowman. Another added: "Loads of people would have gotten cold feet, he probably just took frosty for a Brrr-ito."
The light-hearted crime took place as the West Midlands was dealing with the aftermath of Storm Goretti, which left a blanket of snow across the region. Authorities had advised the public not to travel unless absolutely necessary due to significant disruption on the roads that day.
Outcome and Community Impact
It is not yet known whether the snowman thief has come forward or if Sammy has been returned to his post. The incident, while minor, has provided a moment of levity and community engagement during a period of severe winter weather. The pub's approach, using humour rather than anger, has turned a petty theft into a shared local story.
The event underscores the quirky side of community news, where even a missing snowman can capture public imagination and bring people together through social media banter.
