POLICE are appealing for help in solving a “mystery” at a cafe.

The Rumbling Tum cafe in East Grinstead has had £18,720 worth of cooking oil stolen in a string of thefts dating back nine years.

Thieves have repeatedly taken the cafe’s large drums of used cooking oil in the early hours of the morning, with the most recent incident happening on February 20.

The oil drums have been taken from the rear yard of the café where they are stored.

PCSO Nathan Lax said: “We have made detailed enquiries into these incidents but so far nobody has seen anything and they have occurred sporadically.

“There has been no fixed pattern to the thefts so it has been difficult to establish information about any suspects or vehicles. Although each individual theft may not be of great value, the cumulative impact on the café proprietors is mounting.

“If you have information please contact us online or by calling 101, quoting serial 316 of 08/03. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”