Train-travelling criminal sought by five police forces

More than £5,000 worth of jewellery has been taken in Sussex alone, including from a property in Southwick.

Detectives want to speak to Simon Knights, 38, who they say uses the rail network to move from town to town, dressed smartly in a jacket, shirt and trousers.

A £2,500 reward has been put up for information that leads to arrest and conviction for at least one of the offences.

Sussex Police said: “It is thought that Knights is stealing cash and jewellery from homes to fund his gambling addiction, selling off any jewellery and spending the cash in betting shops, casinos and on fruit machines.

“Thousands of pounds worth of jewellery have been stolen during the more than a dozen break-ins that Knights is suspected of being responsible for in Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, London and Essex since June.”

CCTV footage recorded on June 16 at 10.45am shows Knights at Barnham Station.

Detective Inspector Dave Wardley-Wilkins, of Sussex Police, said: “We need to speak to Knights about eight offences in June in Sussex but have not been able to trace him so far.

“We believe that he uses the rail network to get around so people might see him on trains along the south coast, possibly smartly dressed. He has links to Essex so could have returned there but we need anyone who sees him to contact us as we do not know where he is.

“People might also see him in betting shops or casinos so we would urge anyone who visits them to keep an eye out for him.

“If you have any information about where he is or where he has been, please get in touch.”

Knights, a Charlton Athletic fan, is about 5ft 8in with ginger hair and blue eyes.

Email [email protected] quoting serial 840 of 16/06, call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.