A kleptomaniac cat notorious for stealing items from its neighbours has "finally brought home something of real value" -  cash, BBC reported.

Pilfering puss Theo became known for thieving Christmas decorations and toys in Ipswich, which owner Rachael Drouet would then try to return.

She had joked it might be useful if he brought home cash instead of "tat". So he did. The eight-year-old Siamese cross stole the money a neighbour had left out for the milkman.

Ms Drouet and her family recently moved to a new house in the town and thought Theo might have left his thieving habits behind him. Far from mending his ways, the filching feline upped his game and stole a plastic bag containing the cash. Luckily there was a note inside with an address, and Ms Drouet's partner Paul Edwards was able to return the money to their neighbour.

"He explained we have an Asbo cat," Ms Drouet said.

"The young lad smiled, took the money and acted like that kind of thing happened all the time."