POLICE are asking for help in catching a thief who finished off a box of fried chicken before robbing a cash delivery man.

The Securicor driver was dropping off a large sum of money to cash points at the Tesco store in Leyton High Road when he was attacked from behind and his moneybox was snatched.

Earlier the thief had been sitting on a bench by the cash point, eating his fried chicken.

The empty money box was later recovered nearby.

The company refused to say how much was stolen but it is thought it may have been about £40,000.

DC Simon Hassell, who is leading the investigation, admitted that as yet the police were unsure whether the theft, which took place on Thursday, November 15, at 11.50am, was pre-planned or whether the man was an opportunist.

He said: "The man was seen shortly before the incident sitting on a bench eating fried chicken.

"He may have been waiting for the delivery of the cash by the security guard or he may just have seen an opportunity and taken it."

Securicor goes to great lengths to protect the money it delivers to cash points up and down the country, a police spokesman said.

But on this occasion the guard was caught unawares as he entered one of the secure doors leading behind the cashpoint.

Securicor said it was determined that it was not going to let the thief get away with it.

A spokesman said: "Securicor deplores such incidents and is doing everything possible to assist the police with their enquiries.

"The safety of our staff and the public is of paramount importance and, as such, we are offering a £5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the attack."

The man police are looking for ran off into Bromley Road and is described as black, about 25, around 5ft 10ins, of medium build and wearing a light baseball cap, a dark top and jeans. Anyone with information should contact the Flying Squad on 8345 4226.