HOUSEHOLDERS in Sheringham have been warned to be on their guard after a spate of a dozen burglaries, believed to have been committed by one man.Jewellery, credit cards and other small items have been the main haul of the thief, who has been targeting homes off the Holt Road in the early evening or at night.

HOUSEHOLDERS in Sheringham have been warned to be on their guard after a spate of a dozen burglaries, believed to have been committed by one man.

Jewellery, credit cards and other small items have been the main haul of the thief, who has been targeting homes off the Holt Road in the early evening or at night.

Police say they have leads, but are asking residents to step up security and report anything suspicious.

Chief Insp Steve Jones said: “We think this is one man, acting alone, who has strong links to Sheringham and knows the area. The thefts are between Thursday and Saturday so he might even be staying in a bed and breakfast in the area.”

His method includes knocking on doors, running off if someone is there before they answer, or returning later if the house is obviously empty, forcing entry through the rear of the building. Some victims had left doors and windows open, and had left their PIN number details with their credit cards.

Chief Insp Jones urged householders to be more vigilant - leaving on lights if they were out and getting neighbours to deal with lights and curtains if they were away.

The latest raid in the spate, which began on November 16, was at Uplands Park. Jewellery was taken.

Chief Insp Jones also appealed for anyone, such as pub landlords, seeing people trying to sell jewellery or acting suspiciously to contact the police, and said a reward was being offered for securing a conviction.

If a crime was in progress people should call 999, but information should be telephoned to police on 0845 456 4567 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.