A prolific burglar who wrote to police

A prolific burglar who wrote to police offering an insight into what deterred him from targeting particular properties has been jailed for five years.

He wrote a letter to officers prior to his sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court on 23 November, explaining what features on a property would stop him from targeting it for burglary.

"It speaks volumes really and should make us all ask ourselves how secure our homes are"

In his letter he said he would not select a property with any of the following:

A well lit premises

The presence of a dog

Anti-climbing paint on drainpipes, balconies etc..

Barrier fencing above garden gates and perimeter walls

Motion sensor lighting

Beware of dog stickers

Alarm warning stickers

Pebbles/shingle near rear patio doors

CCTV camera (dummy or live)

Pad sensors behind doors/windows

'Switch house alarms on'

Male was arrested and charged by officers on 5 October after he was identified through DNA as a suspect for a burglary in SE14 on 2 October

He pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and had 25 others committed across south London taken into consideration by the court.