Unconscious

The victim is thought to have suffered an epileptic fit and collapsed in New Road, Littlehampton on Thursday night.

While he was lying on the ground, possibly for more than an hour, money and bank cards were taken from his wallet, which was left beside him.

Eventually, two passers-by saw the collapsed man, thought to be in his 50s, and helped him back to his home, nearby.

Insp Mark White, of Highdown police, said: "This was a despicable theft. The man was unconscious at the time, so he has been unable to give us any kind of description, but we are checking CCTV footage both from shop cameras and from our own system.

"We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the theft or was in the area at the time."

It is thought the thief struck some time between 9pm and 10.15pm.

One of the passers-by who helped the collapsed man told the Gazette: "It's disgusting that someone could steal from him while he was unconscious.

"When we got him home, his wife told us he had gone out for a bag of chips at about 9pm and he had been gone for more than an hour."