A serial burglar with more than 30 convictions has been jailed for 16 weeks after a purse was stolen during a break-in.

On 24 June an intruder entered a home in All Saints Lane, Bexhill, and took a purse containing cash and bank cards.

The residents were in the property but had left their front door open so their dog could go into their garden when the burglar struck.

Graham Brook, 43, was later arrested and pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court.

Mr Brook, of Arbourvale, St Leonards, was jailed for 16 weeks after magistrates were told about his lengthy criminal record.

Detective Inspector Ian Williams said that the conviction is another success for Operation Magpie, the force's crackdown on burglars across the county.

DI Williams said: "Brook is a serial offender who has committed a string of burglaries across the area so him being jailed is a very positive result for Operation Magpie.

"He has more than 30 convictions for burglary so getting him out of Bexhill is good news for the local community."

Others arrested as part of the operation include a 15-year-old boy for a burglary in Oak Grove, Bognor Regis, on June 12, in which cash, a watch and an iPad were stolen along with bottles of alcohol and DIY equipment.

The boy was also arrested over a robbery on June 27 during which a 17-year-old boy on a bicycle was punched in the face in Yapton Road, Barnham, by someone who then stole the bike and rode away on it.

He was released on bail until August 16.

Reece Scott, 18, was charged with a burglary at a home in Hillcrest Road, Newhaven, on May 28 when cash, a camera and a mobile phone were stolen. Scott, of Hillcrest Road, Newhaven, will appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on July 17.

Matthew Smart, 25, was charged with a burglary at a home in Seaside, Eastbourne, in May when cash, a camera and two electric guitars were stolen.

Smart, of no fixed address, will appear at Hastings Magistrates' Court on August 20.

Anyone with information about burglaries should call 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk.

If you see or hear a burglary taking place call 999 immediately.