Police issue CCTV pictures of North Craven charity box theft suspect (From Craven Herald)

Police issue CCTV pictures of North Craven charity box theft suspect

5:20pm Monday 6th February 2012 in News

Police have issued CCTV images of an elderly man they want to question after at least a dozen charity boxes were stolen from shops, including some in North Craven.

And among the offences being investigated are the theft of collection boxes from Barclays Bank, High Bentham, on September 6, 2011 (Macmillan Cancer), HSBC Bank, High Bentham, November 23, 2011 (NSPCC), High Bentham Post Office, also November 23 (Bentham Christmas Lights Appeal) and Barclays Bank, Ingleton, January 27, 2012 (Childline).

Other incidents have occurred as far apart as Poulton-le-Fylde and Kirkby Lonsdale between July 2009 and January 2012.

Police believe all the incidents are linked and the person responsible may be using public transport to travel between the various crime scenes.

The suspect is described as white and aged in his 60s. He is believed to be around 5ft 6ins or 5ft 7ins tall with receding dark hair and usually wears glasses. He is often captured on CCTV wearing the same medium length camel coloured coat and has previously worn woollen hats and shirts underneath a jumper.

PC Ben Hanley, from Lancashire Police, said: “This is a despicable crime and I would urge anybody that recognises this man or with any information about the offences to contact Lancashire Police on 08451 253545.”

People with information can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.