Thief steals church charity box

A thief stole a charity box from an Edinburgh church before cycling off on a bike, according to police.

The incident happened at about 1245 BST on Sunday at Morningside Parish Church when a man walked into the reception area and stole the box containing £8.

He was chased through the building by a church officer who managed to catch the man in the vestry.

However the suspect broke free and made off on a red bike before heading off in the direction of Morningside Road.

He was described as white, 30 to 35 years old with a medium build, unshaven, dark hair with a centre parting. He was wearing a three-quarter length dark grey anorak and white trainers.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "This was a particularly brazen theft as the suspect calmly walked into the church and stole the charity box, which was on a table.

"We want to hear from anyone who may have seen this man acting suspiciously near the church on Sunday lunchtime or anyone who remembers him cycling off on a red bike."