A MAN went on a £3,000 spending spree in 24 hours after finding a vulnerable man's wallet on a bus.

Police yesterday released a CCTV image of the suspect, and are appealing for help in identifying him.

The victim, a local man aged in his 50s, lost his wallet when he was travelling on the number 24 bus toward Westbourne on Thursday, January 7.

In the wallet was the man's debit card and the card’s pin number.

The thief then took the wallet, and over 24 hours, spent £3,250 on the debit card on 21 occasions, in shops across Bournemouth, Poole and Boscombe.

Items included a laptop and mobile phone from Argos at Redlands Retail Park in Poole, rugs from Homesense, pet items from Pets at Home and a number of unknown items from Boots.

Clothing and a Louis Vuitton handbag was bought at Martha's Wardrobe and Zsa Zsa in Westbourne, with cigarettes purchased at the Tesco Express at Bournemouth Triangle.

Other items were bought from Robert Old, Debenhams and Superdrug in Bournemouth town centre, with money also spent at the Polish Deli in Boscombe.

The card was also used to spend £100 each in Ladbrokes, Betfred and William Hill in Boscombe.

When the victim noticed these fraudulent transactions he contacted his bank and his card was cancelled. The matter was then referred to police on Friday January 8.

PC Chris Rawlings, of Bournemouth police, said: “Following initial enquiries I am now in a position to release an image of the suspect and I am appealing to the public to help identify the man pictured.

“Anyone who is able to identify the suspect should contact me on 101.

“It is essential that if you do lose your wallet or bank cards that you ensure you contact your bank and cancel them immediately.

"While it may be difficult to remember a pin number it is very important to change it to something more memorable and memorise it. Never write it down or keep it alongside your card.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting occurrence number 55160004480 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.