DORSET Police have released a picture of a man they wish to speak with after a fraudster duped shop staff in Weymouth.

The incident, which took place in Matalan at the Jubilee Retail Park, involved a man entering the store, picking up goods from a display and taking them to a member of staff demanding money back.

It is one in a series of similar crimes that took place in shops across Dorset.

The man picked up some curtains in Matalan and said he wanted a refund because he had found a sharp object in them.

The products varied in value between £70 and £175 and in all but one of the incidents, the man was given a cash refund.

Police say other incidents took place in Stewarts Garden Land, Tesco Express and Bookends in Christchurch, Primark and Wilkinson in Boscombe and Dunelm Mill in Poole.

In Stewarts Garden Land, the offender picked up some throws and demanded a refund saying he had found a sharp object in them.

In Bookends a refund was demanded for some pencil tins which the purchaser claimed had cut his daughter when she opened them. It was discovered later that the pencil tins had not been sold.

At Tesco Express a man picked up some motor oil, walked out of the store without paying, then re-entered claiming he had purchased them and they had leaked over his car seat.

Officers investigating a series of frauds and an attempted fraud across Dorset have released a picture a man they wish to speak with.

Police Constable Alex Green, of Dorset Police, said: “The crimes were similar at each store and it is possible many more offences have been committed and not yet been reported.

“As a result of my enquiries I am now in a position to release a CCTV image of a man we wish to speak with.

“I urge the man pictured – or anyone who recognises him – to come forward as soon as possible.

“I also would like to remind all retailers to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to police on 101."

The incidents all took place between February 16 and March 11.

Police Constable Alex Green, of Dorset Police, said: “The crimes were similar at each store and it is possible many more offences have been committed and not yet been reported.

“As a result of my enquiries I am now in a position to release a CCTV image of a man we wish to speak with.

“I urge the man pictured – or anyone who recognises him – to come forward as soon as possible.

“I also would like to remind all retailers to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to police on 101.

“Fraud or attempted fraud should be reported to police by calling Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting action number 225164.

Or call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.