A CRIMINAL who broke into 30 homes in Crewe has been sent to prison for four years.

Karl Manley, aged 30, of no fixed address, also admitted six offences of breaking into sheds and domestic garages, 21 offences of stealing from vehicles and an offence of theft by using a stolen credit card.

Detective Darren Harper said: “For a few months in the summer Manley was responsible for a large proportion of the burglaries being reported in Crewe, as he fed his drug habit. “He was arrested after trying to use a stolen credit card at a hole in the wall machine.

"We had evidence linking him to a burglary and when we began questioning him he decided to co-operate and tell us about the other crimes he had been involved in.

"The sentence took into account the fact that he had been frank with us.

“He carried out the majority of the burglaries using unlocked doors or open windows.

"Making sure you keep doors locked and windows closed, even when you are in the house, is the most basic crime prevention measure.

“Timer switches set to put on a light when it goes dark are a cheap and effective precaution.

"They are especially useful at this time of year when you may go out to work, or go shopping in daylight and still be out when it is dark. "A house that looks unoccupied is a much more attractive target for a burglar.

“Following on from that, if you go out in darkness, take a quick look back at your house and see what impression it gives.

"If it looks empty, it is worth going back and switching on a light.

"If you have a security alarm system, make sure it is set whenever you are out and when you go to bed.

“A lot of vehicle crime is preventable too.

"If you leave valuables visible on the seat or dashboard of a car, or leave the satnav in the car when you park, you are offering an invitation to a thief.

“Whether it is burglary or car crime, the most important crime prevention measure of all is to be alert.

"Most burglars will spend some time weighing up which houses to hit, and car criminals will do the same thing with vehicles.

"If you see anyone acting suspiciously, report it on 0845 458 0000.

“We make every effort to identify and arrest burglars and collect the evidence to convict them, but crimes of this type are often preventable if people take simple precautions.”

Manley was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on November 5.

He had admitted breaking into a house in Barker Street in Crewe on September 7 and breaking into a house in Neville Street on September 12.

He also admitted theft from a vehicle at Wistaston and theft by using a cash card taken from the vehicle.

Other offences were taken into consideration.