Crimewatch joins the hunt for serial Sussex burglar

“Officers believe Simon Knights, 39, uses the rail network to move from town to town dressed smartly in a jacket, shirt and trousers, committing burglaries and then getting the next train home,” said police in a statement.

An episode of Crimewatch screened on BBC1 last night (June 8) featured an appeal for information leading to Knights’ capture.

Detective Constable Philippa Hannard said: “Knights is wanted for six police forces now so we know he could be anywhere in the south east.

“People may see him using the rail network or betting shops, possibly smartly dressed.

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

Police forces in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Kent, Essex and the Metropolitan Police are all looking for Knights and a £2,500 reward has been put up for information leading to the arrest and conviction of him for at least one of the offences.

“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,” Sussex Police added.

“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 across the south east since June last year.”

Police previously reported Knights has been linked to thefts where more than £5,000-worth of jewellery was taken in Oving, Barnham, Eastergate, Burgess Hill and Southwick.

His image is now on the BBC’s Crimewatch Roadshow website.

Charlton Athletic fan Knights is white, about 5’ 8” and has ginger hair and blue eyes.