A THIEF posing as a water board official has been stealing cash from small businesses.

Police are warning owners and staff to be vigilant following three separate incidents in the city centre in recent weeks.

The thief first struck at a bakery on Wednesday, May 17, when he told workers he needed to check the water supply.

But when he was given access to a back room, the man stole cash.

A similar incident took place on May 31 at a sandwich shop, also in the city centre.

Again, the thief told workers he was there on behalf of the water board, but when he gained access to an office area, purses were taken.

The most recent incident took place at a record shop on Wednesday. A man, pretending he needed to gain access to a restricted area, stole some cash.

In the first incident the man is described as white, aged 30 to 40 years old, tall and slim, with a rugged face, glasses and short brown hair. …