Police hunt 'well-dressed vandal'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/8031423.stm

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Police are investigating the bizarre case of a well-dressed man who keeps breaking into Manchester city centre buildings to vandalise offices.

The man, who wears smart trousers and an overcoat, has been seen on CCTV discreetly forcing his way into at least five buildings since January.

But once inside he simply damages the offices and rarely steals anything.

Officers said the man was responsible for thousands of pounds of damage and described his actions as "bizarre".

In the latest spate of break-ins, he got into a number of buildings in the space of nine hours overnight on 18 March.

Pc Christian Avery, of Greater Manchester Police, described the crimes as "very unusual".

In the current economic climate it is already difficult enough for businesses to survive without this Pc Christian Avery

"This man looks very presentable but has gone to great efforts to get into these buildings by forcing his way in the main door and then into the individual workplaces.

"Yet, bizarrely, once inside he doesn't seem to be interested in stealing any of the expensive equipment or property.

"We believe he is responsible for a significant number of break-ins and the damage runs to thousands of pounds.

"If you know who he is, please contact me. In the current economic climate it is already difficult enough for businesses to survive without this."

The man is described as white, in his 40s, slim, with collar-length dark hair that is thinning on top.

He wears black-rimmed glasses, a long dark overcoat and dark trousers.