Police are hunting for a commuting criminal who travels around the south east by train breaking into homes.

Officers believe Simon Knights, 38, a Charlton Athletic fan, uses trains to move from town to town, committing burglaries and then getting the next train home.

Detectives from five police forces are currently looking for Knights and a £2,500 reward has been put for information that leads to Knights' arrest.

Knights is suspected of being responsible of stealing thousands of pounds worth of jewellery from more than a dozen break-ins across London, Kent, Essex, Hampshire and Sussex since June last year (2014).

The latest crime Knights is being linked to is a burglary in Bromley on November 26.

Detective Inspector Dave Wardley Wilkins of Sussex Police, said: "We believe he uses the rail network to get around so people might see him on trains along the south coast, possibly smartly dressed.

"We need anyone who sees him to contact us as we don't know where he is."

It is thought that Knights is stealing cash and jewellery from homes to fund a gambling addiction, selling off stolen jewellery and spending the cash on gambling.

DI Wardley Wilkins added: "People might also see him in betting shops or casinos so we would urge anyone who visits them to keep an eye out for him."

Knights is white, about 5ft 8, has ginger hair and blue eyes.

CCTV footage recorded on June 16 at 10:45am shows Knights at Barnham Station.

Anyone with information should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 830 of 16/06, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.