The fisherman's hat burglar was branded "evil" by one of his victims who had thousands of pounds worth of jewellery, family heirlooms and even clothes stolen by the notorious thief.

The prolific burglar, who wears a trade mark black 'fisherman's' hat and black clothing, has targeted properties within Wimbledon Village since 2006.

Detectives think he is responsible for more than 200 burglaries in the area in more than 10 years. 

Wimbledon Times:

Caught on CCTV: The fisherman's hat burglar

David Kyffin, whose detached home near the All England Lawn Tennis Club was targeted by the man, also known as the Wimbledon Prowler, three times in the last two years.

From Monday: Exclusive footage of fisherman's hat burglar shows him calmly walking off with 45 kilo safe containing £100,000 of cash and jewellery from Parkside home

He said he and his wife are terrified at the thought of someone entering the house without them knowing.

Mr Kyffin, 59, who lives with his wife Nicky and son Harry, 18, said: "In 2014 my son had Christmas money in a drawer in a wallet in the kitchen and when he wanted to spend it we couldn't find it anywhere.

"Roughly a year later we wanted to take our two cameras on holiday and couldn't find those either. It was very strange at the time, but we now know it was the prowler.

"It's when you go to find something and it's no longer there. It's a bit odd and very disconcerting as we live in a nice neighbourhood and even have dogs who are always barking.

"It was after two years of money, jewellery and clothes going missing that it started to make sense."

Mr Kyffin, who works in advertising, explained how terrible it was for his family and said they even began to think their housekeeper had been stealing items.

Standing in the kitchen of his Wimbledon Park home, he said: "It is awful because you start to suspect everyone around you, your friends, your family.

"It's a horrible feeling because you know someone has been in your home.

"He must have stolen a couple of thousand at least from us.

"He seems to be very capable at getting into places undetected. We didn't have security systems at the time but we have since installed perimeter cameras and motion sensors."

The father-of-one believes that the Wimbledon prowler would have to jump over fences from a footpath at the back of his home to gain entry to his property.

He also added that his neighbour had also been targeted, but they refused to comment on the incident.

He said: "Nicky insisted that my brother stay when I'm away on business because she's so scared of him coming back.

"She says he has even stolen clothes from her like Kashmir scarves, jumpers and even her designer jeans.

"That's on top of the two cameras, Harry's money and a snuff box that belonged to my great grandfather."

He added: "What he is doing is completely evil.

"It makes you think how many police are sitting around in a station when they could be working to catch him."

Andrea Young, a 49-year-old mother-of-four who lives in one of the detached homes valued in excess of £5 million said she knew of the Prowler but hoped she and her family would never be targeted.

Standing on the doorstep of her gated home, she said: "The house next door to the left were burgled about two years ago and the one to the right was targeted a year before that.

"They have an "L" shaped garden which I think makes it easier. But in order to burgle is you would have to jump over three fences.

"Our dogs help too and whenever anyone knocks at the door they bark extremely loudly. I have four kids so there are always people about."

Local rumours suggest that the Prowler has managed to evade the police due to his knowledge about home security systems.

The expert burglar is believed to go into homes via unlocked doors and windows and may also be in possession of a device used to pick locks.

The meticulous removal or destruction of security equipment of the properties is also part of the burglar's tactic prior to committing the burglary.

Once inside an address he will use his jacket and pockets to 'bag' items such as cash and jewellery.

On at least six occasions, he has been disturbed by occupants who have been within their homes whilst the burglary has taken place. He has then immediately fled.

Ms Young said: "I think the police are doing their best. There is only so much they can do if he is able to disable security cameras. That really is tough going."

Another family living in Parkside are so concerned about The Prowler's ability to break into houses they bought two Rottweilers as additional security measures.

The housekeeper, who has worked for the family for two years said: "My bosses are aware of the burglaries and have always told me to keep doors locked and the security alarms on.

"The best defence are the two Rottweilers. They are very scary and I think would stop anyone from breaking in."

Sue Cooke, chairman of the Parkside Residents' Association, condemned the Wimbledon Prowler and explained her frustration that he still hasn't been caught.

She said: "Police are trying very hard to catch him, but he is very clever.

"He watches houses and waits for his time to strike.

"He is the most terrible sort of burglar and it's not very nice at all.

"For 10 years residents have been worried about burglaries and yet police have not managed to get their hands on him."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merton Police on 020 8649 3155 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.