The mother of a four-year-old who had his Christmas money stolen in a toy shop has said the youngster keeps asking if "the bad man has been caught yet".

Demelza Wilson and her husband, Danny, had taken their son Dougie and six-year-old daughter Darcie to spend their Christmas money in the Bury Road Smyths Superstore on December 27.

Ipswich Star: Dougie (middle) with his mum Demelza (left) and his sister Darcie (right)Dougie (middle) with his mum Demelza (left) and his sister Darcie (right) (Image: Demelza Wilson)

While queueing up to pay for the Paw Patrol car he wanted, Dougie's money vanished - with CCTV footage later revealing it had fallen on the floor and been picked up by someone in the store.

"He's okay, but he still keeps talking about the incident," said Mrs Wilson.

"He keeps asking me, 'has the bad man been caught yet?'

"You just don't expect such a horrible thing to happen."

The family were shown CCTV footage after the incident, with Mrs Wilson claiming: "A man who was there with a young girl swooped in, picked it up and walked away."

Suffolk police have since released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak with in connection to the investigation.

Ipswich Star: Suffolk police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak with in connection to the incidentSuffolk police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak with in connection to the incident (Image: Suffolk police)

"We're very pleased to see footage has been released to the general public," his mother said. 

"Hopefully someone will recognise him."

Despite the incident, Dougie's family said he managed to enjoy his Christmas.

"He had a lovely time," said Mrs Wilson.

"He got his Paw Patrol car and a few other presents so he was really pleased.

"The public were also so kind to us and we're so grateful for that.

"So many people offered us money, and one person even said he'd be happy to come with us to the shop and buy the kids whatever they wanted, but we politely declined all of these offers.

Ipswich Star: Despite the incident, his family say Dougie still managed to have a lovely ChristmasDespite the incident, his family say Dougie still managed to have a lovely Christmas (Image: Demelza Wilson)

"All we want now is for the bad man to be caught.

"What I will say is if the individual wanted to drop an envelope with the money into the store, they can do this anonymously and I won't take it any further. 

"If they have a conscience, that's what they will do."

Anyone with any information is advised to contact Suffolk police, quoting crime reference number 37/81201/22.