Police appeal after four break-ins at Hassocks

Officers are investigating four break-ins at homes in Hassocks that happened in the middle of the day that they believe could have been committed by the same people.

In each case the house was entered and searched after the owner went gone out.

The thieves took thousands of pounds worth of expensive jewellery during the burglaries as well as computers, cash, cameras and collectable ornaments.

Sussex Police launched Operation Magpie to tackle burglary across the county.

The first burglary happened in Grand Avenue between 10am and 5.35pm on July 13 when the 76-year-old resident went out for the day with her family.

She returned home to find the patio door had been forced open and the house had been searched. Among the items taken were a laptop, cash and many items of jewellery.

The second burglary was in Chancellors Park on July 24 between 11.45am and 1.30pm.

A bedroom window had been opened from the outside and thieves had taken a laptop computer, jewellery and two boxes of documents including bank details, mortgage papers and birth and marriage certificates.

The third burglary was in Semley Road the following day, between 11.15am and 1.15pm. A back window had been forced open and the house searched.

Among the items taken were a boxed £2,500 Tag Heuer watch, other watches, two laptops, a digital camera, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and pairs of cufflinks.

The latest burglary was in London Road on Saturday (August 3) between 7.40am and 5pm.

The 59-year-old resident returned home to find the lock to his front door had been smashed off and the property ransacked.

Among the items taken were more than 20 gold Rolex, Rotary, Accurist, Seiko and Citizen watches, gold rings, necklaces, bracelets and tie pins along with a Nikon digital camera and a BT cordless phone.

Detective Constable Sue Maccallum-Stewart, of West Sussex CID, said: “Many of the items stolen in these burglaries are identifiable and we are contacting second hand shops and auction rooms across the region to make them aware in case they are offered them.

“We are looking at the possibility that the offenders are waiting for the owners to go out and then seizing their chance to strike.

“If you see people acting suspiciously in your area call 999. Don’t think you might be wasting our time, think how you might prevent a crime.”

Anyone with information about any of these burglaries should call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.