A female burglar has been jailed for more than three years after a spate of residential break-ins.

Police believe Nadine Steer, 33, of Cambridge Grove Road in Kingston, pretended to be a victim of crime to help her burgle homes.

She raided properties on the Cambridge Estate, Kingston, and in Washington Road, Kingston Road, Warwick Road, and Dickerage Road in New Malden between January and March this year.

Steer pleaded guilty to five counts of burglary last week at Kingston Crown Court and was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

She had previously appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, March 13, and had been remanded in custody.

Jill Preston, chairman of the Cambridge Road Estate community, said: "We had a police meeting within the area this week and everyone said how relieved they were that something had been done because burglary really does affect people.

“The police did a good job here. It was reassuring to know that real action has been taken.”

Steer, who had previously gone missing for a day in August last year, was described as high risk by police officers at the time.

Det Con Heidi Foley, the officer in charge of the case, said: “Steer was linked to one case through forensic analysis and with the support of the borough’s CCTV team was caught in possession of stolen property in another.

"She also answered the description of a person who had gained access to homes by pretending to be a victim of crime."

Det Insp John Turner said: “Steer saved court time by pleading guilty. Residential burglary is a key priority for us and we are pleased that excellent detective work on the part of DC Foley means another burglar is off our borough’s streets.”

The latest crime figures from the Metropolitan Police show that there were 72 residential burglaries in the borough and a total of 759 crimes in February.