Police have released pictures of two items they are keen to trace the owners of in connection with a number of serious offences stretching over a considerable period of time in the Plymouth area.

Police are investigating a number of properties which have been entered and items have been stolen, including women’s underwear.

During this investigation police have located a pair of pink knickers with a paisley design. They are a women’s size 8 to 10 and are from Peacocks. A silver Yale-style key, probably fitting a PVC door, has also been found.

Detective Inspector Mike Cooper, from the Plymouth investigation team, said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have had these items stolen. They were found on 4 September 2013 and if they are linked to an offence it would have occurred near to this date.”

Police suspect these items are being removed as trophies rather than items to sell. In all offences investigated so far there have been no signs of forced entry which suggests the offender targets insecure properties.

DI Cooper added: “We believe other similar offences may not have been reported due to the form of entry coupled with the type of property stolen. Residents may simply think the items have been mislaid rather than stolen.

“Although we are concentrating our efforts in the Plympton area we are keeping an open mind as the offender may have committed offences in other areas.”

Anyone who has any information that could assist with the investigation is asked to call DC Rachael Harris on 101 quoting EP/13/919, or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 55-year-old man from Plympton has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and released on police bail until 10 February 2014.