A best-selling author and charity campaigner had his phone stolen while fundraising in a charity shop.

David Perlmutter’s true crime book Wrong Place Wrong Time is an Amazon bestseller and he has been touring Cancer Research UK charity shops to promote it and raise money for the charity.

When handing over proceeds raised during a book signing in the Mill Hill branch, the Broadway, Mr Perlmutter’s iPhone was lifted from where it was charging.

He said: “It is just the lowest thing you could imagine happening – we’re here trying to do some good and help people but someone took the opportunity to be so selfish.

“This is a problem which needs stamping out, people think they can take advantage of charity shops because of their giving and trusting nature.

“The wonderful staff at the Mill Hill branch say they have had this problem many times before with people coming in and taking whatever they like, which is just an awful thing to think you can do.”

An image of the thief, described as male, 5ft 10in wearing a blue jacket, from the shop’s CCTV has been passed on to police who are investigating.

Mr Perlmutter supports Cancer Research UK in memory of his father Morris who died as a result of lung cancer in 2003.

He volunteers as a cancer campaigns ambassador with Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden, calling for standardised practice on the promotion of products which cause cancer.

His book tour around Cancer Research UK charity shops in London and the home counties continues.

So far he has donated around £200 from books sales to the charity, as well as £60 to Rays of Sunshine children’s charity which grants wishes to children with life-limiting illnesses.