Burglar targets expensive properties

ARMED with worryingly accurate information, a "professional" burglar is targeting expensive properties in Cooden and West Bexhill while the owners are away.

In the latest of a series of raids, "high value" antiques were stolen from an elderly woman's home at Cooden Beach on Monday while she was absent.

Police declined to reveal the value of the stolen property but said the raider removed a rear window to gain entry.

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A similar raid was carried out at Pinewoods in the Collington area overnight on Tuesday when two windows were removed. Police are unable to say how much was taken because the occupiers are away.

Inspector Max Mosley said: "It is clear that premises in the Cooden and West Bexhill area are being targeted, mainly when they are unoccupied or when the owners are away on holiday."

He said the number of similar raids over the last two months in up-market detached houses was in double figures. On average, there has been a raid every four to six nights.

"It seems to be the continuing thing that people are away. So, possibly, people are knocking on doors and finding out whether people are away.

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"We would ask the public, if they see any suspicious activity please phone the police on 999 - and that means ANY suspicious activity because people are sometimes reticent about phoning us.

"We don't want this series to continue. It could be one or two people responsible. They are doing it every four, five or six nights, which is a shortish period therefore no amount of extra police patrols could ensure that we are in the right place.

"We therefore need the public to be our eyes and ears and, as I have said several times before, if is it suspicious to you as a member of the public it will be suspicious enough for our officers to check it out. Help us to help you.

"Meanwhile, if anyone wants any advice on how to secure their home, our Crime Prevention Officer Mrs Lee Harris is available at Bexhill police station to help."

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