This is the face of a man wanted by police on suspicion of stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds from building societies - including one on Canvey.

Police today released the picture after linking deceptions in Canvey and Rayleigh with others across the country, including the latest two in Kent.

The man allegedly opened building society accounts using bogus documents and identities in Canvey and Rayleigh in May last year.

Once the bogus accounts were established, forged cheques worth thousands of

pounds were paid in - and withdrawals were then made. All cheques were originally bound for Inland Revenue offices.

It is believed the man got away with £10,000 from a building society in Canvey but was thwarted during a second attempt on the island.

He then moved on to a Rayleigh building society and stole £4,000 using the same trick. However, police believe the man may have swindled hundreds of thousands of pounds in total from building societies across the country.

The latest incidents happened last month at the Halifax building society in Tonbridge, Kent, where police managed to track down CCTV footage of the alleged thief.

The wanted man is described as of Afro-Caribbean appearance, of medium height and build, smartly dressed and in his late 30s or early 40s.

Anyone with information about the man should contact Det Con Alan Pritchard at Rayleigh CID on 01268 775533.

Suspect - do you know this man?

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