Local businesses in the Sutton area are being urged to remain vigilant following the theft of a charity donation box from a bar in what appears to have been a deliberate and premeditated act.
The bar has issued a warning after CCTV footage captured a man stealing the donation box, which had been securely fastened to the bar using ties. The suspect, seen clearly in the footage, came equipped with tools to cut through the ties, indicating that the theft was planned in advance.
In a statement shared with the community, the business said:
WARNING TO ALL LOCAL BUSINESSES – We unfortunately have had our charity box stolen from the bar by the man pictured below. This was a pre-empted decision as he came equipped to separate the ties keeping the box on the bar. All caught on CCTV. Please be wary.”
The incident has sparked anger among staff and customers, especially as the stolen money was intended to support a local charitable cause.
Businesses across Sutton are now being advised to take extra precautions, including:
- Securing donation boxes in less accessible areas
- Installing and regularly checking CCTV systems
- Reporting any suspicious activity immediately to the police
It is understood the theft has been reported to local authorities, who are now reviewing the CCTV footage as part of an ongoing investigation. The image of the suspect has been circulated to help with identification.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Sutton Police or the business directly to assist with enquiries.
This incident serves as a reminder to stay alert and safeguard public donations, especially in customer-facing environments.
