Burglars have stolen water pipes from a flat, leaving the owner below completely flooded-out.

Geoff Christian, of Middleton Road, Carshalton, got home just after midnight today to find water gushing through his ceiling.

Police believe thieves broke into the vacant flat above Mr Christian's and somehow disconnected the water pipes - believed to be copper - which left the water free to run.

Mr Christian said: "I came home and thought it was strange when the door-mat was soaking, but when I went inside there was water all over the kitchen and bathroom.

"The water level was well above the carpet, I could touch the surface and you could see the ripple it made. The bedroom, living room, kitchen, doorway, all the carpets and sofa got soaked.

"Anything sitting on the floor is ruined and the ceiling has patches where the paint has blistered.

"People have just moved out of upstairs but neighbours said they heard people cutting pipes in the flat earlier in day.

Mr Christian, an artist and photographer, has been frantically trying to get help from Sutton Council in between mopping up.

It offered him temporary accommodation but he declined, fearing the thieves may attack his house.

A police spokesman said: "We attended an incident last night about 7.30pm and are treating it as burglary.

"Something was done to the water pipe to make it burst.

"We are continuing enquires but no arrests have been made."

Thames Water have now stopped the leak.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.