A Liberal Democrat councillor has had his wallet stolen – while conducting a surgery for his constituents in his Alexandra Ward. Lib Dem Wayne Hoban, who was elected to the Haringey council in May, was meeting constituents at Alexandra Library on Wednesday when the incident occurred. His wallet was stolen from his jacket, which was hung over the back of a chair.

The incident is the second crime in as many months to afflict the unfortunate Lib Dem councillors from Alexandra Ward. Just before their election triumph in May, Susan Oatway, then a candidate for the ward, was the victim of a mugging while canvassing voters in Alexandra Park Road.

Ms Oatway has made a full recovery, and Councillor Wayne Hoban is shrugging off the latest misfortune:

“I’ll be more careful in future about leaving my jacket around,” said councillor Wayne Hoban. “I never really thought of our local library as a potential hot spot for pick-pockets, but it just goes to show you always have to pay attention.”