A master burglar is being hunted by police for a frightening one-man crimewave spate of break-ins.

He has been linked to up to 20 burglaries so far in Billericay and Wickford, but officers have warned the total could rise yet further.

Police said he leaves so few signs of entry that many victims do not realise they have been hit until weeks or months later. An estimated £20,000 of jewellery and valuables have been taken so far.

Det Con Ray Turner, of Wickford CID, said it was not until detectives started doing house to house inquiries in Billericay that they realised there was a pattern to the break-ins.

He added: "The man we are looking for often forces windows or doors with a screwdriver. He is in and out very quickly, carries out a very tidy search and removes jewellery from inside boxes.

"He even closes the window behind him so victims don't realise until later."

The last spate of incidents were in Billericay at the end of June - these included six successful raids and three more attempts.

Areas targeted have been Little Norsey Road, Brookside, Lilford and Jacksons Mews.

In June, he also seemed to have been at work in Wickford and in February police are aware of six or seven more incidents in Runwell and Shotgate which they are connecting.

DC Turner said the man police were looking for was clearly a professional who was unlikely to be living in the area.

He said: "He obviously knows where to lever open a window and exactly where to insert the screwdriver. We think the reason he carries out such a tidy search is not that he has compassion for the victim but in order to avoid detection."

Det Con Turner said homeowners could do little to prevent the attacks - in one incident the man broke through a triple-locked door.

Police now want residents who believe they have lost jewellery or valuables to contact them.

The thief is white, in his 40s and has dark hair. He wears workman's clothes and a baseball cap.

If you can help call Det Con Turner, at Wickford police, on 01268 561312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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