POLICE have released an appeal following thefts from shop tills on the Isle of Wight.

Four shops were targeted in Ryde, Shanklin and Newport last week.

Officers said £140 was taken from Osborne Taylors on High Street, Ryde, on Tuesday, April 3 at 2pm and £150 from Shanklin Health Store the following day between 12.15pm and 12.30pm.

The man was described as a six-ft-tall white male, of medium build, with dark hair, aged in his twenties.

He was wearing glasses and smart casual clothing.

The same day — Wednesday, April 4 — a man told a staff member at Island Tanning and Beauty on St James' Street in Newport that his mother had left her bag there.

He left the store with £200 cash at 3.20pm. The man was described as a six-foot-tall white male of medium to large build with fair or ginger-coloured short hair, aged in his thirties.

He was wearing glasses, a white top, a blazer and beige trousers.

On Friday, April 6, a man took £210 from W Hurst & Son on Union Street, Ryde.

The man was described as 5ft 10ins tall, mixed race, of slim build, in his late twenties.

He had short dark hair, was clean shaven and wearing jeans and a jacket.

Investigating officer PC Scott Carine said: “We are carrying out enquiries to see if any of these reports are linked and would like to hear from any other businesses on the Island who may have seen a customer acting suspiciously in this way in their shops, even if nothing was taken.

“As part of this appeal I am releasing a CCTV image of the man seen at Island Tanning and Beauty in Newport on Wednesday, April 4. He may be able to assist our enquiries. Do you know who he is?”

Police are encouraging business owners to visit the Hampshire Constabulary website for further crime prevention advice.

Anyone with information can call PC Scott Carine at Newport Police Station on 101 quoting 44180123688 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.