A THIEF is being sought by police after he conned his way into a private area of a Chinese restaurant and stole an Apple Air laptop.

The man struck between 5.30pm and 6pm on Saturday, telling staff he was a customer and wanted to use the toilet on the first floor of Kachina in Shirley High Street.

However, he got into the residential part of the building, which is closed to the public, and stole the computer before making off.

Police say he was a black man aged in his late 20s or early 30s and about 6ft, with a short Afro haircut.

He was skinny and was wearing a dark coloured Superdry jacket, dark jeans and tennis shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police in Southampton on 101.