Serial burglar targets the elderly

The man in his late teens or early 20s seems to becoming more and more desperate as he confronts his victims.

Police say they are investigating a large number of burglaries in the Glovers Lane and Preston Road area of Sidley.

In the latest two attacks the intruder struck in Glovers Lane and at Festival Gardens at dawn on June 2.

In both instances the raider fled after being disturbed by the elderly occupants.

But at Glovers Lane the householder was "pushed around" by the raider before he fled her home.

Police say most of more than a dozen burglaries over the past few weeks have taken place during the early morning and it is elderly people who have been targeted in each case.

A spokesman said: "Entry has been gained by forcing casement windows in ground floor flats or houses.

"The offender has looked mainly for cash. He has also gone into rooms where the householder is sleeping and searched clothing for money and purses.

"In the first few incidents, the man would leave when confronted, but when he has been disturbed the last few times, he has pushed the victim to the floor or pushed them out of the room and locked them out before continuing the search.

"The descriptions given by victims suggest it is the same person committing these crimes."