A photo of Derrick Matthews released by the police, along with a video still from a post office where a box was taken

Police in Cumbria are appealing for the public’s help in tracing a man they want to interview following the theft of numerous charity boxes across the county.

At least one of the incidents involved the removal of a mountain rescue team collection box from the bar of the Watermill Inn at Ings.

Cumbria Constabulary said they are investigating the theft of six charity boxes in separate incidents across the South of their area.

They want to speak to 54-year-old Derrick Matthews as they believe he may have information about the incidents.

A Cumbria police spokesperson said: “Police enquiries began when a charity donation box was stolen from the Queens Hotel in Ambleside on 29 January 2013.

“This was followed by the theft of more charity boxes on 26 February from the bar of the Watermill Inn in Ings, Kendal; The Royal Oak in Ambleside and the Highwayman near Kirkby Lonsdale.

“Due to the similarity in the incidents and the time they took place, these crimes are being tentatively linked with the theft of five charity boxes from the Bakehouse in Arnside that occurred between 7.30am on 4 March 2013 and 10am 8 March 2013, and the theft of a ‘help the heroes’ charity box from Paragon Gift Shop in Grange sometime between 21 January and 3 February 2013.”

Police said Derrick Matthews may have information about charity box thefts that occurred on 6 February 2013 at the post office in Wetherall, Fantails in Wetherall, Coomara vets in Carleton outside Carlisle, and a charity box theft from the Cumberland Building Society at Dalston on 8 February 2013.

He is described as in his 50s, of a medium build with short greying blonde/white hair. He wears wire framed glasses and is known to wear various hats.

Police released a CCTV image captured in Wetherall post office around the time that a charity box theft took place.

Anyone who knows of Matthews’ whereabouts or who sees a man who matches his description is asked to contact PC Neil Danby or Carlisle CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.