A man and a woman have been arrested in connection with a series of burglaries at rural homes.

The 26-year-old man and 24-year-old woman, both from Worthing, were questioned after homes in Crawley, Henfield, Storrington and Billingshurst were broken into in May, June and July.

They were also interviewed over a break in at Bignor Roman Villa on June 10, when a charity box was stolen and hundreds of pounds of damage was done.

The homes broken into were in Balcombe Road, Crawley, Bramlands Lane and Wheatsheaf Road in Henfield, Woodpecker Lane and Link Hill in Storrington and West Chiltington Lane in Billingshurst.

Among the items stolen were electrical equipment, jewellery and cash.

The man and the woman were questioned before being released on bail until September 5.

Detective Inspector Dave Wardley-Wilkins said: "The arrests are a positive step as we try to prove who was responsible for the series of burglaries.

"In each case rural properties were targeted and the victims have been left very upset by what has happened to them.

"I would urge anyone living in an isolated area who sees people acting suspiciously in the community to contact us immediately so we can investigate."

The arrests are the latest success for Sussex Police’s Operation Magpie, the force's crackdown on burglary.

Among the other successes include the charging of Byron Rainsford, with a burglary in Rotherfield Avenue, Bexhill, on July 30 during which a car was stolen.

The 25-year-old of Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, will appear at Lewes Crown Court on August 21.

The charging of Bobby Jarmain, with a burglary in Silchester Road, St Leonards, on May 25. The 39-year-old, of Brighton Road, Lewes, will appear at Hastings Magistrates' Court on August 11.

The arrest of three men for a burglary at a home in Upperton Road, Eastbourne, on July 29, the arrest of a 29-year-old man for a burglary in Three Bridges Road, Crawley, on July 6 and the arrest of a 46-year-old man for an attempted burglary in Ridgehurst Drive, Horsham, on July. 28.