The hunt is on to find a heartless thief who stole a grieving father’s laptop from a church in Harlesden while he was burying his six-year-old son.

The laptop had been used to show photographs of the young boy during the service at the Pentecostal City Church in Scrubs Lane, and had been left behind while the burial was taking place at Kensal Green on November 2.

The father realised it had been stolen when he return to the church at around 1pm.

CCTV footage shows a man entering the church and after 15 minutes he is seen removing the laptop from its case and putting into a bag before leaving.

Detectives are appealing for information leading to the whereabouts of this man.

Detective Constable Ben Kirkham from Hammersmith and Fulham CID, said: “The theft of this laptop with the father’s precious photos of his son has obviously and understandably caused huge upset for the entire family who are already going through a very difficult time.

“If you recognise the man from the CCTV or have any information please contact police.”

The computer taken was a HP laptop serial number 8CG42003G6.

The man seen on CCTV is black, aged about 40 and he was wearing a black hooded jacket, a white hooded top with writing on the front and blue jeans.

He also walks with a distinctive limp.

Anyone with any information should call Det Con Kirkham on 020 8246 2505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.