POLICE are on the trail of a burglar dubbed the Shirley Creeper who has been plaguing homes in a Southampton suburb.

The night-time raider has been wreaking havoc across the Upper Shirley area in recent weeks, targeting many homes while the unsuspecting occupiers are fast asleep in their beds.

Police have revealed that about 20 homes in the area have been burgled since the beginning of August - an average of three break-ins a week.

Property stolen in the so-called "creeper" breaks - where a burglar strikes while the occupier is at home - has included wallets, purses, handbags, cash, and credit cards.

He has also swiped driving licences, wristwatches, jewellery, mobile phones, computer games, laptop computers, DVDs and car keys.

Police said most items had been easily removable. It was as if the intruder, who creeps in through open windows, was just grabbing what he or she could carry before making a hasty exit.

Officers from Southampton's new burglary investigation unit (BIU) - part of the Daily Echo-backed Operation Boa campaign to rid burglars from the city - think one burglar may be behind the break-ins but they have not ruled out that there may be more than one person involved.

Det Sgt Phil Bateman said: "We believe this burglar is an opportunist who looks for open windows that are easily accessible.

"The amount of creeper breaks compared with other types of burglaries is very low, so people should not be unduly alarmed. In most cases, it appears this person has got in through an insecure window."

One of the burglar's recent targets was a home in Upper Shirley Avenue, where he made off with a £950 haul including bank cards, a Kodak digital camera, Gucci sunglasses and a Panasonic car stereo face-plate.

The same intruder is thought to be behind a burglary in nearby Bellemoor Road in which valuable masonic regalia was stolen along with a wallet, driving licence and credit card.

Detectives said there were a number of leads they were following up which could not be revealed for operational reasons.

BIU office manager Helen Ward appealed for the public to do their bit by reporting any suspicious activity to police.

Residents are urged to call 999 if they believe a burglary is in progress, or to contact police with details of any other suspicious goings-on they have noticed in their neighbourhood.

Crime reduction officer PC Nigel Horton, based at Southampton Central police station, also urged householders to be vigilant, ensuring doors and windows were locked at all times.

"We would encourage people to make sure their homes are secure, particularly before they go to bed," he said.

"Most of these recent break-ins have occurred at night. In some cases, the occupier has been asleep at the time and has only discovered the burglary when they have come downstairs in the morning."

Police said some of the break-ins had occurred

during the hot August spell, when people tended to leave their windows open for ventilation.

PC Horton advised people to purchase window "limiters" from a locksmith or DIY shop if they wanted to leave windows ajar but secure.

Any information about burglars and handlers can be passed to Southampton police's burglary investigation unit on 023 8059 9997.

Alternatively, ring the free and anonymous Southern Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111, where your call could earn you a cash reward under Southampton police's Bag a Burglar scheme.