Tribute thief caught on CCTV

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POLICE have released CCTV images of a man who stole flowers which had been laid to commemorate the death of a teenager in a road traffic accident.

Shortly before 6am on Saturday, February 7, CCTV operators spotted a man approach a memorial on Manchester’s Canal Street set up in honour of former Saddleworth School pupil Jack Essex, who had died a week earlier following a collision.

The man proceeded to pick up bunches of flowers left by mourners, collecting a number of bouquets before walking off along Canal Street and towards Sackville Street.

He then flagged down a taxi and drove off.

He is described as white, around 5ft 10 tall and of medium build with short brown hair. He was wearing a black leather jacket, jeans and black shoes.

Insp Phil Spurgeon said: “This was a deplorable act, stealing flowers laid in tribute to a young man who had been tragically killed only a few days earlier.

“We are hoping that someone will recognise him from this new CCTV footage, or that he will do the honourable thing and contact us himself.

“If you have information, call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.”