POLICE have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to trace after a thief sneaked into a school and stole a teacher’s purse.

The thief crept into a classroom in King John School, in Shipwrights Drive, Benfleet, looked around to check that the coast was clear before stealing the purse.

He then used the cards to carry out contactless payments to steal about £400.

PC Ian Risden, from the Castle Point and Rochford community policing team, said that he had visited the school for a separate reason when teachers flagged up about the burglary.

He said: “The purse went missing on May 16 but it wasn’t reported until three days later because the teacher hasn’t used her purse until then as she only uses it for petrol.

“The school have reviewed their CCTV footage and there are images of a man creeping onto the school grounds.

“He even had a look around to check that the coast was clear.

“Although the CCTV doesn’t show the actual theft, it shows the man coming onto the school property.

“We are urging people who recognise the man to get in touch as soon as possible.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police have released CCTV of a man they would like to speak with in connection with a burglary in Benfleet.

“A man entered King John School, in Shipwrights Drive, Benfleet, between 2pm and 3pm, on Tuesday, May 16.

“He entered a classroom while it was unoccupied and stole the victim’s purse before using bank cards at five shops to pay for items totalling a three-figure sum.”

Essex Police have only just supplied the CCTV image to the Echo.

The Echo approached the school to speak about the burglary but they declined to comment on the matter.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pc Lee Ryan at Rayleigh police station on Essex Police 101 or independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively, visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org to fill out an online form.