A MOBILE phone was stolen from a visually impaired man while he was sat in a café with his guide dog.

The man in his 20s was visiting Vinny’s Cafe in Headgate, Colchester, with his assistance dog.

At around 2.30pm a man and a woman entered the café and were giving out leaflets.

They placed one on the man’s table, where he had put his mobile phone.

When the man went to leave, he noticed his mobile phone had been taken.

Police are now appealing for information to track down the couple who they believe stole it from him.

A witness described the man as wearing a white t-shirt with a black pattern and was wearing a cap.

The woman was described as possibly having her hair in a ponytail.

The incident happened on Monday, July 1.

A member of staff in the café at the time said: “It happened very quickly.

“The lady came in and asked for a glass of water.

“She came right up to the counter and had leaflets in her hand, they were for Odeon film times.

“We gave her a glass of water, we didn’t want the leaflets but she was insisting she hand them out.

“A man was there with a different set of leaflets.

“I asked them to leave as they were distracting staff and customers.

“The customer left about 20 minutes after them but came back saying he must have forgotten his phone.

“He must have left it on the table.”

She said before they left the couple had approached the man’s table.

Investigating officer PC Scott Lewis, from Essex Police, said the man was picked as the victim because of his visual impairment.

He said: “Someone targeted a member of our community because they were vulnerable.

“It was clear the man had a visual impairment because he was with his guide dog and we want to find those responsible for this unpleasant crime.

“We would like anyone who was in or around the café at the time and saw a man and a woman handing out leaflets or has any information relating to the theft.

“Please contact the local Colchester policing team on 101, quoting crime reference 42/103582/19.”

Information can also be given anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.