POLICE are looking for a man who spat at shop staff on two occasions, once after he was discovered stealing chocolate bars.

The first incident at the Co-op at the petrol station in Holdenhurst Road happened at around 4.40pm on Thursday. A man entered the store and stole two chocolate bars. When challenged by a staff member he spat at them before leaving the store.

The same man returned to the store at around 12pm on Sunday and a different staff member recognised him from the previous incident. He followed him down the aisles and the man immediately left the store.

The staff member watched as the man was fiddling with his bicycle outside the store. He then became angry, approached the member of staff and pushed him with both hands before spitting in his face.

After a verbal exchange the victim turned to walk back into the store and was hit on the back of the head.

The man got back on his blue mountain bike and rode off, crossing Holdenhurst Road and going into Southcote Road.

The victim did not require any medical treatment.

PC Steve Lea, of Bournemouth police, said: “These were unpleasant assaults on members of staff who were just doing their jobs. We are determined to identify the man responsible and I am issuing CCTV images of the suspect in the hope that someone will recognise him.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting occurrence number 55190075166.