£10k reward offered after jewellery burglary

Police are investigating a "violent" burglary in Sevenoaks, Kent

Up to £10,000 is being offered for information about a violent £1.8m burglary in Sevenoaks, Kent.

Officers have released footage of a man they want to identify and images of jewellery stolen from a home near Wildernesse Golf Club on 21 June.

Police said a woman was assaulted by a masked man during the burglary, who threatened her with what appeared to be a handgun and struck her head with it.

Mark Hallas, chief executive of the charity Crimestoppers, which is offering the reward, said it was "a shocking burglary that used violence and intimidation".

At least 50 items were reported stolen during the burglary, including rings, pendants and watches, according to police.

Mr Hallas said: "There will be people who know more about what happened but may be unwilling to come forward."

He added that anyone "unwilling to contact the police" can call the charity anonymously.

Crimestoppers is offering the reward for information that leads to a conviction.

Police said the man would have "stood out" because he was wearing a mask and overdressed on a warm day

CCTV images released by police show the suspect wearing a face mask, cream coloured baseball cap and trainers with distinctive red soles.

He also had a high-visibility top.

The man travelled between Staplehurst and Sevenoaks railway stations between 09:48 and 10:26 BST on the day of the offence, which happened at 15:55.

He then travelled by train between Hildenborough, Tonbridge and Marden between 17:37 and 18:02, and was seen cycling shortly after 18:00 in Staplehurst.

Officers said he may live outside Kent but it is possible he has strong connections to the Staplehurst area.