A reward of up to £13,000 has been offered to help stop a gang of burglars believed to have broken into over 200 homes.

It is thought that one group of up to a dozen burglars is involved in 113 offences in Kent, 59 offences in Sussex, 24 in Surrey and nine in London since September.

Last week - between December, 8 and December 14 - there were 22 burglaries committed in Kent that are being linked to the group.

Since September there have been 98 break ins in the west of the County - 23 in Sevenoaks, 19 in Tonbridge, 14 in Tunbridge Wells, 16 in Maidstone, five in East Peckham and Paddock Wood, three in Edenbridge and Cranbrook, two in Wateringbury and Platt and one in each of Otford, Snodland, Leybourne, West Malling, Wrotham and Borough Green.

On each occasion the offenders have driven to their victims' homes in a silver or dark car, usually an Audi or BMW, before breaking in at the back of the properties and stealing cash, jewellery and electrical items.

A reward worth up to £10,500 has been put up for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of any of those involved in the burglaries.

The thieves are believed to be using cars fitted with numberplates that have been cloned from another unrelated car of the same type and colour. Officers would like to speak to anyone who sees people changing numberplates or who finds any abandoned plates.

Detectives are also urging residents to help them catch those involved by dialling 999 immediately if they see people acting suspiciously near their homes - in particular if they notice potential offenders with silver Audis or BMS.

Dt Ch Insp Richard Clay of Surrey Police, who is leading the investigation, said: "There are detectives from across the south east working to catch those involved but we need the public's help.

"The key to identifying the people responsible may come from residents living near one of the victims. They may have seen the thieves escaping in their silver car or could have seen people acting suspiciously over the weekend.

"I would also urge people to continue to be vigilant in their areas and to tell us if they see anyone who is acting unusually near their homes. If something sticks out as suspicious to you, please tell us so we can investigate - it could be the break that we need to catch those involved."

Sussex Police, Kent Police and Surrey Police have each contributed £2,500 to a reward to help catch the offenders - a total of £7,500 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those involved.

Independent from the police, the charity Crimestoppers is offering its own reward of up to £3,000 for information that is passed anonymously through the organisation's 0800 555111 number.

Anyone with information should contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting Operation Smart, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101.

If you have any information about burglaries or shops selling stolen goods, call 101 or email101@sussex.pnn.police.uk. For crime prevention advice visit www.sussex.police.uk.