A thief has stolen chemicals from a Belfast laboratory - prompting police to issue a health warning.

Three 1kg containers of the chemical called ‘Silicagel 60A for flash chromatography' were taken from a lab on the Malone Road at about 11.40 am on Thursday morning.

The male suspect is described as aged between 30 and 40 with ginger hair, wearing a combat jacket and camouflage trousers and carrying a camouflage duffle bag, which the containers were placed into.

Members of the public are asked to contact the PSNI if they come across the containers, which have a blue lid and small white rectangular label on the front.

In its dry form, the substance is an extremely fine white powder, which if inhaled has the potential to cause harm to the lungs.

A police spokesman warned the public not to take controlled drugs, adding: "The consequences of ignoring this advice are extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.

Belfast Telegraph