A thief is targeting residents pegging out their washing.
The laundry thief is scouring through the town of Dorking leaving residents short of clothing and bed linen, as well as knickers, socks, pricey suits, and shirts from the communal washing line in South Terrace.
Some residents have also had sheets, duvets and pillow cases pinched while their backs were turned.
One resident, Jo Dawson, said she had to fork out £3,000 replacing lost clothing and bedding.
The fashion thief starting his stealing just six months ago, leaving residents puzzled and confused.
After a while, the thief laid low for a while leaving residents to feel confident about pegging their washing out again.
But last Wednesday the thief struck again stealing five pairs of jeans, duvets and pillows, bedsheets, all her underwear – apart from every other sock – were stolen.
Miss Dawson, 38, said, “The last two or three times everything I have put out has gone. I have put the washing out and come back a short time later and it has all gone.
“It calmed down but it has started happening again and we are really infuriated by it. It has cost us a fortune.
“We have had the police round and they believe it is someone loitering or living here nearby flats.
“They are obviously watching our movements and nicking the whole lot when we have gone.”
She added that the thief is very fussy about the items they take, only stealing dry clothes leaving wet garments hanging.
Miss Dawson added, “We are getting to the point were we are at the end of our tethers.”
Miss Dawson is not the only person affected. One neighbour had a £500 crocheted swiped off the line.
Another resident who wish to remain anonymous said she was very puzzled by the thefts.
She said, “What is odd is that it is not as though the washing line is in full view, so the people that are doing it must know the area.”
Police say they are treating the crime seriously.
John Tadman, Mole Valley neighbourhood sergeant, said, “Although this may seem like a petty crime to some, we are treating this seriously. The value of the thefts now appears into the excess of thousands of pounds.
“Surrey Police is also working with Mole Valley District Council to put in place preventive measures to stop this crime happening again.”
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