A judge said yesterday that Durham Police appeared to encourage a man to run up no fewer than 65 offences.

Heroin addict Lee Tasker, 28, admitted 52 burglaries, two attempted burglaries and 11 thefts.

Judge David Bryant told Teesside Crown Court: "What do you have to do to convince Durham Police you are likely to commit further offences?

"You were released on bail four times during this catalogue of offending, for reasons which, no doubt, most of the public would find entirely incomprehensive.

"It appears Durham Constabulary has encouraged you to go on burgling."

Tasker, of Elgin Avenue, Seaham, County Durham, was given three and a half years detention for the offences and another two months recall from a previous sentence.

The court heard he stole property worth £25,000 to feed his drug addiction.

Peter Schofield, defending, said that Tasker had made full confessions to wipe the slate clean and he was now taking drug counselling.

Last night, Assistant Chief Constable Ron Hogg said it was impossible at that time to check court records to see if the judge's criticisms were based on accurate facts.

But he said: "We find his comments most unhelpful. They fly in the face of the force's performance, which has seen burglaries across the force area cut by half in the past seven years."