Puzzled police are turning to the public to help find mystery burglary victims.

A burglar has confessed to 50 break-ins in Brighton and Hove, but detectives have reports of only 32. The other 18 have either gone unnoticed or the victims are away and unaware their homes have been broken into. The burglar has shown police areas he targeted but cannot remember the exact addresses.

The discovery was made when the 26-year-old burglar decided to confess to all of his crimes, aware if he is convicted later of outstanding burglaries he could face an automatic three-year prison sentence under new Government legislation. He was released in December after serving eight months for burglaries and has broken into dozens of homes since. It was also in December when the Government introduced the new automatic sentence for those convicted of three burglaries.

The burglar was caught breaking into a house in Redhill Drive, Brighton, after a police surveillance operation. After admitting 49 others, 39 in Brighton and ten in Hove, he was taken by car on a tour of the town so he could point out the addresses he had raided.

Det Con Steve Turner explained: "As the police car entered certain streets, he remembered carrying out a break-in but was uncertain of the road and could not recall which house he entered. We have no doubt he is telling us the truth.

"He is just as anxious to trace them as we are. He doesn't want to be arrested again later for the outstanding offences and run the risk of a three-year sentence."

Police believe the burglaries unaccounted for probably happened in Eldred Avenue, Nutley Avenue, Wicklands Avenue, Brambletyne Avenue, and Oaklands Avenue. Det Con Turner said: "It is possible victims noticed a window broken and did not report it. Neighbours holding keys for people away should check their friends' homes."

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Turner on 01273 665541.

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