Police are appealing for the public to be cautious after prescription medication is believed to have been lost in New Brighton on Tuesday afternoon.

Officers received a report that around 60, 36mg tablets of methylphenidate or Ritalin was lost in a blue Puma backpack near Marine Point sometime after 3pm.

They are reminding people that taking any medication which has not been prescribed for them can be dangerous and in some circumstances can prove fatal.

Anyone who finds the medication is asked to hand it in to any pharmacy or police station or call officers on the 101 number.