A MAN ran into a lamppost while on a town centre night out - and then went to police claiming he had been attacked and robbed.The 28-year-old went to the police last Sunday and claimed his mobile phone had been snatched when he was 'beaten up' in St Helens town centre.

But after police began investigating they found an officer had actually spotted the man running into the lamppost on Saturday, February 5. The man collapsed and was helped by the officer until paramedics arrived and was then taken to hospital.

But the next day he went to police and allegedly made up the robbery story. He could now face an £80 fine.

Detective Inspector Steve Lowe warned time wasters that police will find them out. He said: "Robbery is a devastating crime for victims and we have concentrated our efforts over recent years to reducing street crime.

"In that time, we have seen a number of false reports of robbery and thefts, which have been linked to attempts by unscrupulous people to replace out of date or lost mobile telephones through false insurance claims.

"Robbery investigations are intensive and expensive and there is no bigger waste of time and public money than investigating a crime that hasn't happened.

"We take all false reports of offences extremely seriously and those who make such claims are committing a criminal offence."