A ‘SICK’ opportunist thief stole a charity box from a Weymouth pub.

The box was taken from the Swan Inn pub on St Thomas Street earlier this month, with police now encouraging people to come forward to help catch the person responsible.

The incident took place at 10.45pm on Tuesday, May 12.

The box is believed to have probably contained no more than £15.

It is believed an opportunist struck when bar staff were clearing up at the end of the night to take the box.

Manager, Kim Newstead was left shocked that someone could steal from a worthy cause.

She said: “I’ve never had anything like this happen before. It’s just not a good thing to happen really.

"They found an opportune moment late at night, it’s senseless really. We probably raise about £20 per box. It’s a bit sick really.”

The Wetherspoons pub has several charity boxes on the bar, many of which are chained up.

The box was raising money for the National Coastwatch Institution at Portland Bill.

No arrests have been made but CCTV footage has been handed over to the police.

Mrs Newstead is hopeful that someone will be caught as the police have the footage.

She said: “It’s on camera anyway so the police have it, all for the sake of £15, it’s senseless really that someone would take a charity box for such a good cause.”

The National Coastwatch Institution is an entirely voluntary organisation and relies on donations to keep watch along the UK's shores.

The NCI relies entirely on voluntary contributions for its continuing existence and expansion.

Coastwatch has now provided the pub with a new box so they can resume raising money for the cause.

This isn't the first recent incident where charity boxes have been stolen in the area, back in April charity boxes were taken in a series of thefts when both the Quiddles Café, at Chesil Cove Portland and Jurassic Rocks Café in Greenhill Gardens, Weymouth were broken in to.

No arrests have been made at this time and police are appealing for people who saw anything to come forward or with any information they may have.

Anyone with information is being urged to call Dorset Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting crime number 020606.