POLICE have named a man who they charged with going equipped to steal after they saw someone "acting suspiciously" in a telephone kiosk. 

Officers arrested and charged a man from Newton-le-Willows with going equipped to steal in Kirkby.

At around 11.20pm on Friday, May 20, officers were on patrol on Bewley Drive in Kirkby when they noticed a man they say was "acting suspiciously" inside a telephone kiosk.

Neighbourhood officers say they noticed the suspect standing in the phone box with a set of flip flops.

Officers stopped to check on the suspect, who reportedly ditched the flip flops and made off on foot.

Police allege that lock picking kit and plyers were discarded by the suspect.

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A man was detained a short time later.

Paul Knowles, of Latham Avenue in Newton-le-Willows, was arrested and charged with going equipped to steal.

Knowles, 44, appeared at a magistrates' court on Saturday, May 21, and was released on bail.