THIS is the face of the carer detectives are hunting in connection with the theft of £5,000 from a woman with Down’s syndrome.

Police have been trying to trace Dancia Sadzia, 31, since the theft was reported almost 18 months ago.

Sadzia, of Littlebury Green, Felmores, has not been seen since police were told about the theft in November 2008, but they are hoping someone will recognise her from the picture and get in touch.

Investigating officer Det Con Alison Wright said: “This has been a protracted inquiry for a variety of reasons.

“We would urge people to have a strong look at this image and contact us if they recognise the woman.

“She may well still be working in south Essex, and we need to arrest her.”

The family of 64-year-old Pat Gowers are sueing her carer’s employers, Guardian Care Support Services, run by Guardian Homecare UK, in a bid to recoup the stolen cash.

Miss Gowers, who died in June last year, had been in care since the death of her mother in 1971, and lived in a bungalow for people with special needs in Rectory Gardens, Pitsea.

Carers who work at the bungalows can withdraw cash on behalf of disabled residents who can’t get out.

But they are meant to record any transactions in a ledger so residents and their families can keep tabs on their finances.

In Miss Gowers’ case, no such ledger was kept.

The 64-year-old became ill in March 2008 with a chest infection and was hospitalised, before dying three months later.

After her death, a whistleblower contacted her family and they discovered £5,000 had been withdrawn from her savings account between October 2007 and February 2008.

Graeme Stenson, 55, whose wife, Sue, is the niece of Ms Gowers, and from Hornchurch, said: “We are pleased police have finally released this woman’s photograph.

“We sincerely hope someone will recognise her and come forward so she can be arrested.”

Sadzia is black and of slim build.

Anyone with information about the theft or who knows of Sadzia’s whereabouts can contact Det Con Wright at Grays police station on 0300 3334444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.