DETECTIVES have appealed for information after ‘creeper’ burglaries at two homes in Southend.

Officers believe that both overnight incidents, on Alton Gardens and Manners Way, were carried out by a thief, or thieves, who broke in without waking sleeping residents.

In both cases front doors were quietly forced before the intruders crept around ground floor rooms looking for valuables.

Both burglaries happened in the early hours of February 6 and were discovered when the occupants woke up at about 6am.

Jewellery, a laptop computer, Kindle Fire, a watch, mobile phones and cash, together valued at a four-figure sum were taken from an address in Alton Gardens.

Three iPads, cash, and a watch were among items, also valued at a four-figure sum, taken from an address in Manners Way.

Investigating officer DC Karen Miller, said: "These are typical creeper burglaries were one or two people manage to break in so quietly that sleeping victims do not hear them.

"We would urge anyone with UPVC front or back doors to ensure that they are double-locked to prevent thieves from forcing them quietly.

"We would like to hear from anyone with information about suspicious activity in both these roads overnight on Wednesday and Thursday and from anyone who has been offered iPads, jewellery and other items for sale in suspicious circumstances.”

Anyone who can help should contact DC Miller at Southend CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.