'One-man crime wave' captured

The burglar preyed on the elderly

One of Britain's most prolific burglars has been caught according to police.

Describing the man as a "serial criminal", police believe he is responsible for up to 600 burglaries and has preyed on elderly women across the south and south west of England.

The man, who has not been named but is in his twenties and from London, has so far been convicted of two offences.

But he is expected to ask for several hundred more to be taken into consideration when he appears for sentencing at a Crown Court next month.

'Bogus policeman'

A police spokesman said: "He's a one-man crime wave. He has toured the south of the country preying on vulnerable, elderly ladies and wreaking havoc."

The man is believed to have burgled 400 properties in London, and also to have struck across south-east England, the Home Counties and as far as Cornwall.

He is thought to have conned his way into homes pretending to be a plain clothes policeman.

Details of the man's case emerged as police in London launched a crackdown on serial burglars, arresting 369 people over the weekend.

It is thought to be the biggest operation of its kind ever mounted.