Police have issued CCTV images of a ‘heartless thief’ who stole more than £1000 worth of oil from a hospice.

Between May 14 and 15, the man removed the fuel which is used to provide the heating for St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood, which provides specialist care for people with life limiting illnesses.

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.”

Anyone with information can contact Pc Mark Smith at Harlow Police Station on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.