POLICE officers in Harlow have issued CCTV images of a heartless thief who stole more than £1000 worth of oil from the St Clare Hospice site in Hastingwood Road last month.

Between May 14-15, the man removed the fuel which is used to provide the heating for the hospice, which is a local charity providing specialist care for people with life limiting illnesses. Anyone who recognises him or has any information is urged to contact Pc Mark Smith at Harlow Police Station on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

St Clare Hospice chief executive Tanya Curry said: “We have increased our security even further since this incident, but we are shocked and saddened that anyone would even think of targeting a charity like St Clare. Our facilities team worked tirelessly to ensure that the impact of the theft was minimised, with an alternative heating source arranged for our Inpatient Unit whilst awaiting the delivery of replacement oil.”