A POLICE appeal to find a missing beach towel is making waves on social media.

Northumbria Police asked for the help following the theft from Longsands at Tynemouth on Sunday, July 12, between 4pm and 5pm.

A spokesman for the force said: “A dark blue towel with 'DRYROBE' written on the front in red and white was stolen.

“Anyone with information should contact police on 101, extension 69191, quoting reference number 43728L/15 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.”

The appeal was posted on the force website and on its Facebook page where it is has been shared over 1,000, and widely mocked.

The post has received hundreds of comments asking if it was a joke and complaining Northumbria Police should be concentrating on "serious crimes".

A number of people mentioned attacks, thefts and anti-social behaviour they thought the force should deal with instead, as well as more satirical posts.

Beard Ian said: “It's what it leads to that worries me. It starts with a flannel, then a towel, then a bathmat. Next thing you know that's not enough - they need more. They'll start pilfering bedsheets off washing lines and dust sheets off decorators. Then it's heroin then murder. It's a slippery slope.”

Clare Stephenson said: “This must be a wind up. If it's not, can't believe the police haven't anything better to do.”

The description may be a little misleading as the Dryrobe is an all-weather changing robes available for sale online and cost £75-£115.

But someone has also set up a spoof Facebook page called ‘Let's find this missing towel from Tynemouth beach’.

A spokesman for the page said: “Well by the looks of it on the police page there's a bit hoo harr about this dreadful crime.

“Would you or would you not like your so "expensive TOWEL" covered in sand let alone STOLEN, from an open space surrounded by sand and water. In my motto . use a primark 1 next time.!!! Keep an eye on your buckets and spades guys!”

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "We have received some interesting comments that we will learn from. "As our communities should expect, we take all reports of crime seriously and victims are our main priority when we set about solving them.

"Indeed, the interest this current issue has generated demonstrates how effective social media can be in reaching large audiences very quickly.

"The appeal regarding the stolen towel was very much intended to be a local request for information so we didn't expect quite so much interest from so far afield.

"We realise we seem to have kicked sand in our own face and so we may have to ride the wave on this one as we continue to try and find the best ways to use social media to generate interest and information to help solve crimes."