Police are hunting a suspect who stole a £40,000 bassoon that was accidentally left on a train by a musician last month.
The classical instrument was left on the Lewes to Brighton service in East Sussex on October 19 after its owner exited the carriage without taking it with him.
The bassoon was stored in the overhead luggage compartment, but was taken by a man who left the train at Southwick station in West Sussex. Police would now like to question him.
When the owner realised it was missing he rushed back to the platform, but the train had already left the station, police said.
CCTV images taken from the train were released on Wednesday (November 10) by British Transport Police (BTP) as part of an appeal for information.
Officers believe the man (pictured below) may have information that could "help with the investigation".
A spokesman for the force said: "Officers investigating the theft of a bassoon, worth up to £40,000, on a service from Lewes to Brighton are releasing CCTV images in connection.
"On Tuesday, October 19, a man boarded the 2.04pm service from Lewes to Brighton and placed his bassoon in the overhead luggage hold. "As he alighted the train, he left the instrument behind and the train had departed when he returned to the platform.
"Further enquiries show that the instrument was stolen by another passenger who then boarded a service towards Hastings and alighted at Southwick station.
"Officers believe the man in the CCTV images may have information which could help their investigation."
BTP said anyone who recognises the man or has information about the incident can contact officers by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2100079515.
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