AN “UNKEMPT” man raided a charity shop till while shoppers looked on.

The callous thief reached over to grab £180 in cash from the till at the Sue Ryder charity shop in Cavendish Street, Keighley, after distracting the volunteer counter staff.

The stolen cash should have been destined for Keighley's Manorlands hospice, which is run by the charity.

One customer raised the alarm as the man fled, soon after 1pm on Friday April 6, and was able to give police a description.

Shop manager Jackie Burke said a second man was believed to be involved in the theft by posing as a customer.

She said: “One man distracted the volunteer behind the till and another spoke to staff. He said he had left something behind the till, and when the girl went to check with another staff member, the theft happened.

“It was in broad daylight and the shop was full. They’ve robbed volunteers who give their time free. This shop assistant was absolutely distraught. Manorlands is close to the hearts of people in Keighley.”

Shop staff warned other Sue Ryder shops in the region about the theft, but a similar incident happened later that afternoon at the Guiseley shop.

District councillor Zafar Ali, the Lord Mayor of Bradford elect, expressed shock at such an incident happening in Keighley in daylight while people were shopping.

He said: “I’m very concerned and deeply sympathetic towards the staff. It’s good that they were not subject to attack, but they must have gone through an ordeal.

“The shop in Cavendish Street is very busy and provides a very useful service selling household goods and furniture for people who can’t afford things new things.

Cllr Ali and fellow Keighley Central ward councillor Abid Hussain said they hoped the police would take the incident seriously.

Councillor Hussain added: “If they don’t do a proper investigation, it gives people more confidence to do this sort of crime.”

Police described the suspect as aged 25 to 30, with slim build, unkempt appearance, and wearing a grey hooded top with a red stripe.

Anyone with information about the suspect or who saw the incident should contact police on the non-emergency number 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting reference number 13180161356.