The owner of a Chinese takeaway has described her shock at watching CCTV footage of a plant being taken from inside.

The “money tree” had been a fixture of Bill’s Kitchen in Castle Road, Chatham, for 15 years after being given as a gift.

But the owner, Hongyan Zhu, says footage recorded at 5.20pm this evening shows a man removing the plant and carrying it into a car before driving away.

Ms Zhu told KentOnline she and her team were working in the kitchen at the time and did not hear anything. Staff had left the front door open due to the heat.

“Three people arrived in a dark blue car. One woman came in first and looked around,” she said.

“Then a man came in, picked up my money tree, and walked straight out.

“They put it into the car and all left together.

CCTV image of a man who entered the takeawayCCTV image of a man who entered the takeawayCCTV image of a man who entered the takeaway

“The whole thing only took a few minutes. We were busy in the kitchen, so we didn’t hear anything. They didn’t order anything – they just came in, took the plant, and left.”

Ms Zhu, who has reported the incident to police, says the money tree held deep personal value.

“This plant has been there since I took over the shop. It was a special opening gift from my father, wishing us good fortune,” she said.

A money tree, also known as Pachira aquatica, is a popular houseplant often associated with good luck and prosperity.

It is commonly kept in homes and businesses, particularly in Chinese culture, as a symbol of wealth and fortune.

CCTV footage shows a man outside Bill’s Kitchen in Castle Road, Chatham, placing the plant into a dark blue carCCTV footage shows a man outside Bill’s Kitchen in Castle Road, Chatham, placing the plant into a dark blue carCCTV footage shows a man outside Bill’s Kitchen in Castle Road, Chatham, placing the plant into a dark blue carThe front of Bill’s Kitchen in Castle Road, Chatham, where a large leafy money tree can be seen inside by the window before it was taken.The front of Bill’s Kitchen in Castle Road, Chatham, where a large leafy money tree can be seen inside by the window before it was taken.The front of Bill’s Kitchen in Castle Road, Chatham, where a large leafy money tree can be seen inside by the window before it was taken.Empty space where the money tree used to be in the takeawayEmpty space where the money tree used to be in the takeawayEmpty space where the money tree used to be in the takeaway

“I’ve taken great care of it over the years. It’s very hard for me to accept,” Ms Zhu added.

“I just hope the person will return it, because its value cannot really be measured.”

Kent Police has been approached for comment.