Cecilia Road where the latest burglary occurred Pic – Google Street View

A knife-wielding burglar who has staged a series of frightening night-time break-ins is being sought by Hackney police.

Detectives say the suspect usually enters the victims’ bedrooms and living rooms whilst they sleep to steal laptops, phones, and cash.

The intruder has struck at least five times within a week in Killowen Road and Hassett Road in Hackney Wick, Millfields Road in Lea Bridge, Brooke Road in Hackney Downs and, in the latest attempt on June 22, Cecilia Road in Dalston. Although all are in different parts of the borough, police believe they are the work of the same man.

In one instance a woman in her 50s was woken up by her dog barking and found a man in her living room. She confronted the burglar who produced a knife before escaping out of a window.

Another woman was woken by the intruder standing over her bed disconnecting her iPhone from the charger. She screamed and he fled the scene by jumping through the window with her mobile phone and laptop.

Fortunately, no one was physically injured in any of the offences.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley said: “These burglaries are particularly striking as the suspect demonstrates no restrain, despite the considerable risk of being disturbed. Many burglars do not enter people’s homes during the night due to this fear. I am wholly concerned by the suspect’s behaviour given his possession of a knife and creeping into bedrooms.”

Hackney CID are urging locals to “remain vigilant” and to remember to keep windows closed and locked.

Police are asking residents to report it immediately if they witness any suspicious behaviour or if they see a man matching the description of the suspect “loitering” in the area. The suspect is described as a light skinned black man, between 5ft 9ins and 6ft 3ins tall with a medium build and long black, unkempt hair. He is also believed to be in possession of a black bicycle that he uses to travel between offences.

Anyone that can assist police is urged to contact Hackney CID quoting ‘Operation Globe’ via 101, or via Twitter @MetCC. To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.