A teenager from Newham returned to a railway station to find his bike had been stolen.

British Transport Police officers have released CCTV images of a man they believe could help them with their investigation into its theft.

The 19-year-old victim left his black and white mountain bike locked up in one of the cycle sheds at Harlow station, Essex, before catching a train around 9pm on April 17.

When he returned the next day, at around 12.30pm, he found that it was no longer there.

Officers are now speaking with witnesses and circulating images on police intelligence systems.

Investigating officer, Pc Hayley Hussey, said: “From viewing CCTV footage at the station, we know that a man on a silver bike, which he is believed to have brought with him, was seen loitering around the cycle sheds around 9.30pm.

“The man is seen to leave and return just after 10pm, when he enters the cycle shed before leaving with a black and white mountain bike.

“Unfortunately cycles are a popular target for thieves but there are several steps people can take to ensure their bikes are adequately marked and secured

“The best thing to remember is to register your bike and also to ensure a solid lock is used to secure it.

“If a bike is adequately marked, it makes it much easier to identify and therefore reduces its desirability to thieves.”

Anyone who can identify the man in the CCTV images should contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference B8/LNA of 11/05/12.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.