Thieves armed with metal-cutting oxyacetylene torches have carried out a spate of thefts from telephone boxes.

They have cut their way into the cash boxes of 33 West Sussex phone kiosks since the end of last November.

The thefts have taken place along the A29 between Broadbridge Heath and Slindon, on the A24 between Horsham and Worthing and on the A27 between Worthing and Chichester.

All have taken place in rural areas, well away from residential centres, but police believe someone must have seen the bright blue flame from the oxyacetylene.

Some of the incidents have taken place in broad daylight.

PC Chris Saunders said: "Phone boxes are often broken into but this is the first time we have seen this method used.

"They are using heavy equipment which consists of a large gas cylinder with a torch. They use a high-density butane gas type of flame which cuts through the metal. It is not over and done with quickly and may take them some minutes.

"It is the sort of equipment used for welding. It is not small and the offenders must have either a large car or a van to carry it. We have had no reports from the public but someone must have seen something.

"These thieves are brazen. They must think it is worth the risk but we are determined to catch them."

PC Saunders said cameras might be used to catch the thieves.

Patrol officers and BT engineers have been alerted.

Anyone with information should call PC Saunders on 0845 6070999.