VIDEO: Thief caught on CCTV appearing to steal mountain rescue charity box from South Lakes pub (From The Westmorland Gazette)

VIDEO: Thief caught on CCTV appearing to steal mountain rescue charity box from South Lakes pub

2:10pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in News

POLICE are hunting a man captured on CCTV appearing to steal a charity box from the bar of a Lake District pub.

The landlord of the Watermill Inn, Ings, has passed on the footage to the police in a bid to catch the alleged offender.

The box contained cash donated by customers for the work of Kendal Mountain Rescue Team.

Pub owner Brian Coulthwaite described the theft of the box, just before 2.30pm on February 26, as “disgusting.”

The tape shows a man, wearing a cream jumper and black hat appear to pick up the collection box and slide it under his jacket before walking out.

“I’m totally disgusted, stealing is bad but stealing from a charity is despicable,” said Mr Coulthwaite.

Eddie Harrison, team leader of the Kendal MRT, said: “We are trying to raise money honestly and when something like this happens it’s just disheartening especially when we rely solely on the generosity of people in local pubs and businesses to continue providing our service.”

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: “We are investigating the incident and would appeal for anyone with information, or anyone who recognises this man, to phone police on 101.”