A burglar is starting a five-year prison sentence as police forces in the south east launch a campaign to tackle burglary.

On January, 23 42-year-old Darren Morris, formerly of Forest Hill in London, broke into a house in London Road in Dunton Green, Sevenoaks via the back door.

The victim returned home shortly before midday and found that a window had been smashed and a nearby key taken to open the door.

Drawers had been searched throughout the house and jewellery totalling over £3,500 was stolen.

Investigators examined the scene and identified the suspect as Darren Morris. He was later charged with burglary.

On October, 23 appearing before Maidstone Crown Court, Morris was sentenced to five years in prison.

As part of a regional campaign, police forces in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Thames Valley are working together to help residents reduce the risk of becoming a victim of burglary.

"We have just started a campaign with neighbouring forces across the south east to crack down on burglars who are offending across the region" - Dt Insp, Neil Kimber...

In Kent, officers have launched a new section on the Kent Police website called ‘Is it yours’ to help reunited victims with stolen property that officers have found or seized.

Property is sometimes seized when officers execute warrants at the homes of burglary suspects, and sometimes through working with retailers who deal in second hand items.

Detective inspector Neil Kimber from Kent Police said: "We have just started a campaign with neighbouring forces across the south east to crack down on burglars who are offending across the region.

"Burglary can have an effect on victims long after the offence has been committed, and this autumn we are encouraging homeowners to ‘light it, lock it list it’. When you leave the house make sure it is fully secure and looks lived in, and security mark your valuable property.

"We want to make sure that burglars are starved of opportunities to commit crime, and our campaign has started in a positive fashion, with a significant sentence passed.

"We will be holding a number of property marking events in the coming weeks and I would encourage people to come along and take advantage of this service."

For further crime prevention information visit www.kent.police.uk/burglary

Property marking events will be taking place at the following locations in the west of the county:

• Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2– Aylesford Retail Park from 9am to 5pm.
• Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9– Tunbridge Wells, Longfield Road from 9am to 5pm.
• Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, November 16– Otford Road, Swanley from 9am to 5pm.