DETECTIVES investigating a series of more than 200 burglaries in the South East are appealing to find a safe stolen in one of the incidents.
A steel-coloured Chubb safe, similar to the one pictures, containing cash and expensive jewellery was taken from a home in Nyetimber Copse, West Chiltington, Sussex, during a break-in between 11am and 7pm on Tuesday (January 13).
The safe, which has a key lock and handle, is 24 inches wide, 28 inches high and 18 inches deep - about the size of a set of desk drawers.
Detective Inspector Dave Wardley-Wilkins said: "The safe is very heavy and would have needed at least two people to move it.
"Although we have arrested five people and recovered a quantity of jewellery, we have not yet found the safe or any of its contents.
"It may have been discarded by the offenders as they made their escape with the intention of going back for it later. It could be out in the open so might be seen by a dog walker or someone out enjoying the countryside.
"Another possibility is that it was transferred to a different vehicle and has been moved to another area. If you see a bulky item like that in a vehicle please contact us."
Police are also appealing for witnesses who saw people acting suspiciously in Heathfield Park, Midhurst, and Nyetimber Copse, West Chiltington, on Tuesday.
A 28-year-old man and 16-year-old boy from Reigate were among five people were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the burglaries across the region after a police pursuit in Billingshurst during which a Ford Focus was carjacked by a group of men in a silver Volkswagen Golf.
Detectives from Sussex, Surrey, Kent and the Metropolitan Police have been working together to try to identify and arrest a group of people suspected of carrying out break-ins in all four force areas since September.
Officers are still keen to speak to anyone who saw the Golf or the Focus being driven in or around Billingshurst on Tuesday night or anyone who saw men running from the Focus after it was abandoned.
The pair from Reigate, 24-year-old man from Sidcup in Greater London, a 29-year-old man from South Eckendon in Essex, a 20-year-old man from Billingshurst in West Sussex have been released on bail until February 21.
Anyone with information should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 889 of 13/01, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
