An urgent appeal was launched by the Met Police in London this morning (Saturday, November 7) to trace a man in connection to a series of burglaries on homes in South East London.

Five different addresses in the region spanning Deptford, Brockley, Catford and New Cross were targeted by a thief or thieves in recent weeks, police said.

They are now seeking 51-year-old Desmond Mark in connection to the burglary spree.

"Mark is a black man, described as 5ft 8ins, slim build, with scruffy facial hair, pock marked skin, and is currently believed to be walking with a limp," a spokesperson for the Met said Saturday.

"The appeal comes following an investigation by the South East Burglary and Robbery Investigation Team into the following incidents", police added:

  • A residential burglary on Tuesday, 18 August in Vesta Road, SE4;
  • A residential burglary on Friday, 2 October in Halesworth Road, SE13;
  • A residential burglary on Saturday, 3 October in Barriedale Road, SE14;
  • A residential burglary on Monday, 26 October in Inchmery Road, SE6;
  • A residential burglary on Tuesday, 27 October in Sayes Court Street, SE8.

Detective Inspector Martin Thomas of the Met’s South East Burglary and Robbery Investigation Team added that his team were "urgently" searching for Mark in connection to the burglaries:

"Today we have released an image of Desmond Mark, who we would urgently like to speak to in connection with our investigation and I am appealing for members of the public to help us identify his whereabouts," he said.

Thomas added that anyone who was "harbouring" a person sought by police could also be breaking the law:

"Someone must have information on where he is and I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that anyone who is involved in harbouring a person that is being sought by police, could potentially be committing a criminal offence."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD reference 5296/06NOV2020, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.