Hackney Police is appealing for witnesses after a series of “frightening” night-time burglaries in the past week.

Between Friday last week and yesterday, there were break-ins at five residential addresses, two on the same night, that are believed to have been carried out by the same suspect. In some the suspect even entered the victim’s bedroom to steal items whilst they slept.

The suspect is described as a light skinned black man, between 5’9” and 6’3” tall with a medium build. On several occasions he was described as having long black unkempt hair. He is also believed to be in possession of a black pedal cycle which was used in one offence, and is likely to have used to travel to and from others.

The five offences occurred as follows:

Friday June 16, 3am in Killowen Road, Homerton: The victim, a man in 20s, was woken by a burglar while in his living room. The occupant yelled and the suspect made off out of a window. An iPhone and MacBook were stolen, with the laptop taken from the victim’s bedroom whilst he slept.

Tuesday June 20, 4:30am in Brooke Road, Stoke Newington: The victim, a woman in her 50s, was woken up by her dog barking and found a man in her living room. She confronted the burglar who produced a knife. The victim’s son was then woken and intervened to protect his mother. The suspect escaped out of a window. Among personal items stolen was a distinctive chunky solid silver ring with a black onyx stone in the middle, and three diagonal lines on each side of the stone.

Tuesday June 20, 5:21am in Millfields Road, Clapton: The victim, a woman in her 20s, was woken by a male standing over her bed disconnecting her iPhone from the charger. She screamed and fled the scene by jumping through the bay window. In this incident the suspect was seen to flee on a black pedal cycle towards Clapton Pond. An iPhone and silver MacBook were stolen.

Wednesday June 21, 10,35pm in Hassett Road, Homerton: The victim, a woman in her 30s, was in bed in her flat when the suspect entered and shone a torch into her face. The victim screamed and the man then attempted to grab her phone, failed, and fled the scene with cash and a black Dell laptop and a grey/silver laptop.

Thursday June 22, 04:30am in Cecilia Road, Dalston: The male victim was woken by a sound outside. He looked out the window and saw a man in the garden with a ladder resting against the house. The victim challenged him and he denied any wrongdoing and fled the scene along Colvestone Crescent empty handed. The ladders had been taken from a nearby address having renovation work done.

No one was physically injured in any of the incidents..

Detective Insp Paul Ridley, who is leading the investigation, said: “These burglaries are particularly striking as the suspect demonstrates no restrain, despite the considerable risk of being disturbed. Many burglars do not enter people’s homes during the night due to this fear. I am wholly concerned by the suspect’s behaviour given his possession of a knife and creeping into bedrooms.

“The recent hot weather has led to a spike in these offences. I would urge residents to remember to keep their windows closed or fit window restrictors and screw locks.

“The victims can understandably feel afraid and violated after being confronted, and their homes invaded. It is imperative that we catch this man before he targets anyone else. I would urge any members of the public with information to contact my investigation team.

“You may have noticed a man matching this description loitering around in the area. If that is the case, then please call us immediately, every line of enquiry will be rigorously pursued.”

Anyone with information is urged to call 101, quoting “Operation Globe”.