Police in Merton are appealing for the public’s help after two men used a young boy, believed to be aged five, as part of a distraction theft at a charity shop.

CCTV footage of the incident has been released today Wednesday, 16 November, of the two men officers would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

On Tuesday, 11 October police were called at 15:45hrs to reports of a mobile phone stolen from a Cancer Research shop, High Street, Wimbledon.

CCTV footage from within the shop caught two men trying on clothes. As one of the men distracted the sales assistant, the other man walked over to the till with a small boy and got him to pick up the phone, lift up his top, and conceal the mobile in the front of his trousers.

The two men and boy then left the store with ladies’ clothing – which they did not make any attempt to pay for – and the charity shop worker’s mobile phone.

The first suspect [image ref 229029] is described as a large white man in his early 30s with a brown beard, wearing a grey long sleeve top with a green logo on his left breast, grey cap, black shoulder bag, black shorts and black and white trainers.

The second [image ref 229028] is described as a large white man in his late 20s wearing a dark blue t-shirt, dark blue peaked cap, dark red trousers, white socks and dark shoes.

The boy involved is described as white with short brown hair, about five years old wearing a dark coloured top with a green and white image on the front, dark red trousers and black and white trainers.

PC Sue Clarke, from Merton Borough, said: “We are keen to identify the two men in the CCTV footage who appear to use the child in their care to steal from those working in a cancer research shop. We would also urge anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us.”

Anyone with information or any witnesses are urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.