A 31 year-old woman has been charged with the theft of two charity boxes from town centre bars and restaurants in Ipswich.

Kayleigh Wilkes, of no fixed abode, was arrested and charged with the theft of two charity boxes and the attempted theft of a third box from three different locations.

A St Elizabeth’s Hospice collection box was taken from the bar in Manning’s; A box collecting for Suffolk MIND was taken from The Spread Eagle in Fore Street, and an attempt was made to remove the Helping Hearts charity box from Subway at Cardinal Park.

The first incident is thought to have taken place on July 26, but the box was not reported missing until four days later when it was spotted by staff.

Ipswich Central police team tweeted after the charges had been made: “Following several thefts of charity collection boxes in Ipswich town centre and some diligent police work, an individual has been identified and arrested.

“Excellent work and thanks to the victims who have supported the police.”

It is not known how much was in each of the boxes.