Residents are being told to keep an eye out for a gang of burglars who have struck 12 homes within two days this week.

Kingston police are appealing for help in tracking down a suspected gang who have targeted houses in New Malden, Chessington and Tolworth over a 48-hour period.

In each case, the break-ins happened during the day, with the burglars gaining access through a back door.

Jewellery and electrical goods were taken.

A Kingston police spokesman said: “Kingston has experienced a sharp rise in the number of residential burglaries over the last 48 hours, with 12 burglaries being reported to police.

“Kingston police have tasked all available resources to patrol the borough. This includes safer neighbourhood teams and additional uniform and plain clothes patrols.”

Anyone who sees anything suspicious, such as people knocking on doors during the day, is being told to call 999, rather than the usual non-emergency 101 number.

Anyone with information regarding the specific burglaries should call Kingston CID on 020 8721 5880 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Residents are also being reminded to secure all doors and windows before leaving home, and leave all valuables out of sight.