A MAN was caught on CCTV snatching a charity collection tin from an off-licence.

Cameras captured the thief sneaking the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance tin off the counter at Southover Wines, in Southover Street, Brighton, and into his jacket.

A man and woman entered the shop on Monday morning, then the moustachioed man - wearing a cap with the number 1884 on it, snatched the collection tin.

Footage shows the thief then trying to pick up a second charity tin from the counter - but finding it tied down so he gives up and leaves.

The shop’s owner Jim Kornitzer said: “These people are absolute scum.

“I’m going to stick pictures of their faces up all over the place until they are caught. The pub over the road thought it was the same guy who stole a tin from them. They obviously have no shame at all.

“They came in the shop together, then he loosened the string tying the tin to the counter, before grabbing it.”

Mr Kornizter has now left posters showing the CCTV images around the area in the hope of catching the culprit.

His handmade signs read: “if you see them shake them by the throat for me then call the police.

“Don’t let them get away with it.”

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police urged anyone with information on who the man is to call them on 101.

He said: “A charity box was stolen from an off licence in Brighton.

“The Air Ambulance box was taken from Southover Wines between 10.30am and 11am on Monday (May 22). CCTV shows a man take the tin, he was accompanied by a woman.

“It is unclear how much money was in the tin.”

A spokesman for Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance said: “As a charity, we rely almost entirely on public donations to provide our service to those who need it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The spare change donated in our collection boxes last year was enough to fund around 80 potentially life-saving missions, so every penny really does count and we are so grateful to members of the public who support us in this way.”