A woman accused of stealing £2,000 from Havens hospices is being sought by police.

Louise Whitelaw, 30, is believed to have transferred the lump sum from Havens Hospices into her own personal bank account within just two hours of starting work as a volunteer.

She used a Havens Hospices charity shop’s credit card machine to “refund” the money to herself.

Detectives are hunting Whitelaw who gave staff a fake name when she started work at the shop in Alexander Street, Southend.

Essex Police have launched an investigation into the fraud and say Whitelaw is also wanted for questioning in connection with other thefts in Maldon and Suffolk.

They hope this picture will help bring her to justice.

Anyone with information about Whitelaw’s whereabouts is being asked to call PC Mark Rouph at Southend Police on 0300 333 4444.

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