A would-be-thief broke into a car and fled empty handed – after spending a moment to doodle a wig on the owner’s passport photo.

Chara Farrant revealed details of the alleged incident in Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone.

The suspect left with nothing - but had enough time to give her dad Ian Sheppard a new makeover.

Posting on Facebook, Ms Farrant, an ex-Channel School pupil, said: “So someone broke into my dad’s car in Shorncliffe Road (be careful).

“But (it was) pointless because they didn’t steal anything, but I can’t help but find this freaking brilliant.

“They drew on my dad’s passport photo.

“This is Folkestone at its finest, right, I love it, but I’d love to know why. I wonder if the culprit does portraits?”

The picture shows a series of Boots passport snaps of Mr Shephard, but in the last he has been daubed with a black wig complete with ear length sideburns, a moustache and goatee beard.

Posting on the We Love Folkestone Facebook page last Friday, Ms Farrant said the car suffered minor damage and the incident amused Mr Shephard.

She explained: “He thought it was hilarious, it’s our sense of humour completely but I’m sure we should be angry as it was broke into.”

The post received 190 likes was shared 28 times, triggering a chain of comments.

And while many found the incident entertaining others took the alleged crime more seriously.

In reference to the Folkestone Triennial slogan one user quipped: “Well, 'Folkestone is an art school' after all.”

Another added: “Sorry about your dad's car and photo, but that did make me laugh, even the would be thieves are going all artistic.”

But one user branded the alleged crime "awful and disgusting" and offered her condolences.

She wrote: "I'm so sorry to hear about the break in!? Absolutely awful and disgusting, just weird about the photo - little funny but seriously?"