A thief with an obsession with post boxes has stolen 12 boxes from across Wiltshire in the past few months.

Police say the spree started at the end of August and since then the boxes, which are the type that are fixed to a pole, have been cut free and stolen.

The locations and dates of the thefts are:

• West Lavington (31/08).

• Fonthill Gifford (10/09)

• Langley Wood, Salisbury (12/09)

• Briar Leaze, Compton Bassett (12/09)

• Corsley Heath, Corsley, near Warminster (12/09)

• Springfield Road, Rowde (12/09)

• Manningford Bruce (23/09)

• Manningford Abbots (26/09)

• Wilsford (27/09)

• Easterton Sands, Easterton (9/10)

• Westwood Road, Trowbridge (1/11)

• Mill Lane, Poulshot (2/11)

PC Michelle Haley, who is based at Trowbridge Police Station, said: “These are the 12 offences which have been reported to us, but there is a possibility that there have been further incidents which haven’t yet been reported.

“The thieves seem to be targeting post boxes in quieter, rural areas, and not only are they stealing the boxes but also the mail inside.

“These boxes may have been stolen for their scrap metal value, or perhaps because they may be collectable items, so we are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

“If you have seen any post boxes for sale in unusual or suspicious circumstances then please contact us.”

Anyone with information should call PC Haley on 101, quoting crime reference 54190109101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.