Police are warning passers-by that picked up stolen cash to hand it in.

The money was part of £5,500 stolen from a hair salon in Aldershot on Thursday last week.

After taking the money from Just Cuts, in Victoria Road, he dropped some of it in Station Road near the junction with Chett Road.

Officers warned passers-by who picked it up to hand it in before they take action. 

Police say CCTV shows people picking up the cash and are appealing for them to return what they took.

The thief entered the salon between 11am and 11.20am and went upstairs to a private area unnoticed.

He reappeared in the salon and claimed to be “doing a job” when asked who he was.

The thief then went downstairs to a staff area, where he took the money.

Ten minutes later staff noticed the money was missing.

He is described as white, balding, between 5ft 2in and 5ft 4in and wearing a blue jacket, light coloured trousers, white shirt, a dark coloured tie and glasses.

Pc Louisa Drumm, from Farnborough Police Station, said: “As he ran off the man dropped some of the cash and CCTV shows members of the public picking it up.

“They may not have realised it had been stolen.

“I would ask anyone who did pick up the money to return it before any police action is taken.

A police spokesman added that anyone who learns the money is stolen and does not return it is guilty of theft.

Police could not confirm how much of the money members of the public took or how many people took it.

Jeanne McGee, who has run the chain of salons since 1983, said: “We’re having CCTV installed in the salon and getting a double-locked door too.”

Anyone with information about the burglary or dropped money should ccall police on 0845 045 45 45 or Crimestoppers  free and anonymously on 0800 555111.