A THIEF used a knife to break into a charity box at Warrington Bank Quay railway station.

Detectives at British Transport Police are appealing for information following a series of thefts on February 8 between 4.40pm and 5.10pm.

Officers say a man entered WHSmith at the station where he used distraction tactics to steal items from the shop.

He then went on to place a charity box, which was located on the counter, on its side and used what is believed to a knife to break into the box.

The man removed all the coins before moving upstairs to a coffee shop where he stole more items.

Officers would now like to speak to the man in the CCTV image in connection with the incident.

Anyone with information can call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 quoting reference 436-080218.