POLICE have launched an appeal after a wallet was stolen from a Hampshire chip shop.

The incident happened at Totton Fish Bar at Commercial Road Precinct in Totton between 4.45pm and 5.15pm yesterday.

Police say member of staff was outside the rear of the shop when he saw a man arrive on a bicycle and enter the back of the shop.

The staff member approached the man, who by that time was in possession of a wallet and a phone, and asked him if the items belonged to him.

The man then handed back the phone but kept hold of the wallet.

The staff member held on to the bicycle and told the man he would give it back once he had handed over the wallet.

The man then ran off with the wallet which belonged to another member of staff from the fish bar.

PC Dianne Emptage, said: “The victim was due to fly out to visit his father, who is extremely unwell, tomorrow morning. However, the stolen wallet contained an important document which the victim needs to be able to fly, so now he may not be able to go. It also contained his driving licence and £50 in cash.

“I would like to appeal directly to the man who stole the wallet; do the right thing and return it. The victim is in urgent need of his ID card, which was inside the wallet, to be able to travel to see his father tomorrow morning, who is very unwell.”

Anybody with any information on the incident should call police on 101 quoting reference number 44180025833 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.