Public to be on guard following distraction burglaries

The first one happened in Winchelsea Road, Rye, at about 10.30am.

A white man in his 20s, with dark hair, wearing a smart navy blue suit and described as well groomed, knocked on the door and claimed he was fitting a kitchen a few doors away.

He said he needed to check the water and went inside the house before leaving shortly afterwards. It is believed a second man also entered while the homeowner was distracted.

Two hours later in Victoria Avenue, Hastings, a man knocked on the door of a house and gave the same story about fitting a kitchen in a nearby property.

He was let inside to look at the stop cock and told the victim he would return in about 20 minutes time before leaving.

Police said it does not appear anything was stolen.

The man is described as white, 6ft tall, of slim build, with short dark hair and wearing a navy/black suit.

Just after 1pm a man, described as being in his 40s, with curly black hair and wearing a black suit, was refused entry to a house in Shepherds Close, Bexhill, after the homeowner became suspicious.

And at about 2.30pm in Abergavenny Road, Lewes, a woman let a man into her home after he said he wanted to check the water pressure.

He left shortly afterwards and it appears items were stolen. He is described as being in his 40s, with dark hair and wearing a dark blazer and trousers.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “In all four of these offences the same story was given to the victims by each man, who claimed he was fitting a kitchen nearby and needed to check the water.

“It isn’t clear at this stage whether it is just one offender or two men. However, we are linking all four incidents due to the similar MO used to gain entry or attempt to gain entry.

“We are urging people in the area to be on their guard as there have been four offences in the space of just a few hours. If someone knocks on your door and you are not expecting them, then do not let them enter and call police if you have any suspicions at all. If any vehicles are seen please obtain the details if safe to do so.”

If anyone has information about any of the incidents then call Sussex Police on 101. If you think a crime is in progress, or you see a man matching the descriptions above, then dial 999.