POLICE are hunting a thief who stole a wallet from an 84-year-old man as he helped him across the street.

The victim was approached by the man, in his 30s, who offered to help him across the pedestrian crossing in Higher Deardengate, in Haslingden.

Despite refusing any help, the man grabbed hold of the pensioner and escorted him across the road.

As they were walking across the road outside Barclays Bank, he slipped his hand into the victim's coat and stole his wallet containing £130 before running away from the scene.

The incident happened at around 3.15pm on Monday.

PC Mick Woods said the victim had been left ‘shaken’ following the incident.

He said: “The elderly victim has been left shaken by this incident and we are appealing for people to come forward with information.

“The suspect is described as a white male approximately 5ft 10ins tall in height, of average build and aged approximately mid to late 30s.

“He was wearing a black waist length jacket with the hood pulled up against his face and light coloured trousers.

“CCTV enquiries have shown that there were many people around this location at the time of the offence and may have seen this incident and have knowledge of the offender.

“I would appeal to anybody with any information about this offence, or the person responsible to contact Lancashire Police on 101 quoting reference: LC-20121217-0914.”