Notorious thief Steven Seagull, the shoplifting seagull caught on camera stealing crisps from a shop in Wyke Regis, has become an overnight celebrity, with stories in national newspapers, radio and television after first appearing in the Dorset Echo. 

As first reported by The Echo, the pesky seagull was caught red-beaked stealing crisps from Central in Wyke Regis.

WATCH: Notorious shoplifting seagull caught in the act in Weymouth

The culprit is a regular visitor to the store and has stolen two whole boxes of crisps in just the last few weeks.

A video caught by a member of staff showed Steven walking into the store and making off with a packet of crisps.

The hilarious video has been shared across the country and has appeared on BBC News and ITV News.

He has also appeared in national newspapers, including The Independent and The Daily Mail.

After The Echo exposed Steven and his antics on Thursday, Echo readers were quick to share their own run-ins with the mischievous bird.

Reader Bobbie said: "We were in this shop a few years ago when my son was about two and he saw a Seagull do this and responded: 'Mummy that's a naughty birdy, he didn't even pay for those'."

Steven often reaches for the nearest flavour on the bottom of the shelf, near the door.

Staff have now tried to put him off by putting 'Flamin' Hot Walkers Max' in this position, trying to ward the seagull off with an unwelcome spicy surprise.

Undeterred however, the spicy crisps do not seem to bother Steven, who was seen on video taking a packet of the crisps for himself.

Staff have also put a sign on the door, which says: "Please close the door behind you to keep our resident shoplifter out!!"

Steven is not the only celebrity animal in Dorset.

In Dorchester, Suzy the cat has become a local celebrity by causing mischief up and down Dorchester High Street.

READ MORE: Suzy the Cat becomes a celebrity around Dorchester

The curious feline has been found to visit various locations around the town centre and has gained a following, with her own Facebook page, Suzie’s Travels in Dorchester.