Police are appealing for witnesses after a brazen thief pinched an iPad on a train travelling from Manchester to London.

The victim boarded the Virgin train, which was travelling to London Euston, at Manchester Piccadilly shortly before 2pm on June 17.

She left her handbag on a seat and took her purse with her to the buffet carriage.

PC Lorraine Johnstone, from British Transport Police, said: “A girl who boarded the train at Stockport noticed the handbag, containing an iPad, left unattended as she was leaving the train at Macclesfield, doubled back and placed the iPad under her coat before departing.”

Detectives have released a CCTV image of a girl they wish to speak to in connection with the incident and are urging any passengers who witnessed the incident to come forward.

Anyone with information can call BTP on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference PSUB/B5 of 17/07/2015.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.