Today detectives in Southampton's burglary investigation unit have stepped up their hunt for a serial burglar who has struck at 25 homes across the city.

The thief has been targeting multi-occupancy student homes since the start of June.

His haul mainly consists of laptops, as well as small electrical items and cash and anything that can easily be taken from the scene.

So far 31 people have fallen victim to the shaven-headed burglar, who tends to strike between 10am on Friday and 2am the following morning, as well as between 2pm and 6pm on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.

Officers have released an e-fit of the suspect. Appeal posters for information are also being placed in shops.

On one occasion, during a break-in in Gordon Avenue, he was found in the hallway with a rucksack on his back full of items he had stolen.

When the students inside realised he was a stranger they shouted and gave chase along a road until he was forced to drop the goods.

He carried out another burglary by climbing through a hall window, disturbing a student in a nearby room, who confronted him before he climbed back out, claiming that he was in the wrong house.

People living in shared accommodation across the city are being urged to be vigilant and take precautions against burglary.

Det Sgt Paul Gelman said: "We believe this man is responsible for this series of burglaries across the city.

"He has struck at several houses and repeatedly in some roads and has been disturbed on a number of occcasions.

"We would like to reassure the people of Southampton that we are doing everything we can to catch him and would ask for their support in identifying him."

The burglar is described as 5ft 8in, of broad build, with thick eyebrows and big eyes. He has a flat nose, with prominent cheekbones, a round head and an elongated chin.

On one occasion he was seen wearing a baseball cap, and he has also been spotted wearing a black T-shirt and khaki trousers.