TWO NHS patient transport vehicles were damaged and had their fuel tanks emptied by a man in a balaclava.

Police investigating the theft in Blandford have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to.

Between 4.18am and 4.59am on Sunday March 27, the fuel tanks of two patient transport vehicles were damaged and then emptied of fuel while they were parked at Blandford Community Hospital in Milldown Road.

Bournemouth Echo:

Police are searching for a man described as white, of slim build, around five feet 10 inches tall, wearing dark coloured trousers, shoes and a balaclava, as well as a rain jacket.

Police Constable Tom Harness, of Blandford Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “As part of my enquiries I have obtained a CCTV image of the suspect and I would urge anyone who knows who was responsible to please contact Dorset Police.

“I appreciate the image is of very low quality, but we are carrying out all possible lines of enquiry available to us and I am hoping that seeing the CCTV image may jog someone’s memory if they saw any suspicious activity in the area.

“This theft has caused inconvenience to hospital staff and had a knock-on effect to the wider community. I am appealing to anyone who may have captured anything of relevance on home CCTV systems to please get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220048722.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.