Police are warning residents to be wary of charity collectors after six collection boxes were stolen from a church.

The boxes were stolen from the London Road Methodist Church in Brighton.

Officers are particularly concerned that they may be used by bogus collectors to dupe people into making donations as the boxes are labelled for Christian Aid week, which falls in the first week of May.

All collectors should be able to produce a valid permit and be able to describe the charity's work in sufficient detail.

Sue Heard, Sussex Police spokeswoman, said: "We have concerns that these collection boxes will fall into the wrong hands and people may pose as genuine charity collectors, using the goodwill of local people to raise money for his own means rather than for the charitable causes they claim.

"We do not want people to stop giving to charity but simply to be aware of who, what, where and why they are giving.

"If in doubt, do not be afraid to say no thanks and report the matter to the police."

Sussex Police can be contacted on 0845 6070999.