A knife-wielding burglar behind a series of “frightening” night-time break-ins in east London is being hunted by police.
Detectives say the intruder creeps into homes while the occupants are asleep, stealing phones, laptops and cash from bedrooms and living rooms.
In one case, a woman woke to find the intruder standing over her bed disconnecting her iPhone from the charger.
In another, a woman in her 30s was in bed when the suspected entered her bedroom and shone a torch in her face. The victim screamed and the man tried to grab her phone before fleeing with cash and two laptops.
The suspect, described as having long and unkept hair, has struck at least five times in the Hackney area within a week.
A neighbour said: “It’s terrifying. I have been keeping my windows completely shut at night even through the hot weather. “
The 24-year-old graphic designer, who did not want to be named, said: “I live alone here so it’s doubly worrying, I don’t know what I would do if I saw him in my room.”
Most of the break-ins took place during the recent spell of hot weather in the early hours.
Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, of Hackney CID, said: “These burglaries are particularly striking as the suspect demonstrates no restraint, despite the considerable risk of being disturbed.
“Many burglars do not enter people’s homes during the night due to this fear. I am concerned by the suspect’s behaviour given his possession of a knife and creeping into bedrooms.”
He appealed to anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously matching the description of the suspect to call police. The suspect is described as a light skinned black man, between 5ft 9ins and 6ft 3ins tall with a medium build.
Burglaries have been reported in Killowen Road, Millfields Road, Hassett Road, Brooke Road and, in the latest attempt on June 22, Cecilia Road where the suspect was disturbed and fled.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said enquiries continue but no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information should call Hackney CID quoting ‘Operation Globe’ via 101, or via Twitter @MetCC.
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