A burglary spate in Crawley continued with four raids in a single evening.

Detectives are investigating two burglaries and two attempted burglaries which took place on Tuesday.

The crimes followed 23 burglaries in two weeks between November and the beginning of this month.

On Tuesday, two or three men are believed to have stolen about £400 from a house in Maiden Lane, West Green, at about 5.40pm.

At 11pm a break-in was later reported at a property in Martyrs Avenue, Langley Green, when the 55-year-old man living there got home.

Men were also reported to have tried to get into a 93-year-old woman's house in Kestrel Close, Langley Green, but a door chain stopped them getting in.

A 45-year-old woman in Martyrs Avenue slammed the door on two men who were believed to be trying to break in at 6.40pm

Detective Inspector Stuart Hale said: "We would like to remind residents to use a door chain when answering the door, particularly elderly and vulnerable members of the community.

"A chain provides added security and can prevent unwanted visitors from entering a person's home.

A £500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the people behind the town's burglary spate.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999, quoting Operation Birkdale.