A man has been jailed after committing 20 burglaries within a week in the North East. 

Video footage from Killingworth, in North Tyneside, shows Mason Jones trying multiple door handles of houses.

The police were informed of dozens of attempted break-ins on the evening of January 21 at 2am.

Over three hours Jones tried to force entry into properties on Amberley Chase, Flodden, Garth Twenty Four, Greenacres Close, Oakfield Drive, Sedgemoor, Stratford Close, West Mount and West Wynd.The Northern Echo:

It was later reported that a BMW vehicle had been stolen from outside of an address close to Oakfield Drive over the course of the same night.

Further reports of attempted break-ins were received two days later on Station Road in Wallsend, from two properties on Cartington Avenue in Shiremoor on January 25, and at Lauderdale Avenue in Wallsend on January 27.

This spate of offences led to further patrols being put in place in the area, and police received two more reports of attempted break-ins on Station Road in Wallsend just after 2am on January 28.

Officers were able to swiftly respond and Mason Jones was arrested just 500 metres from the scene. Initial enquiries quickly linked him to a further series of recent attempted burglaries in the area.

Jones, 18, of no fixed abode, was charged with 17 counts of attempted burglary, two counts of burglary and one count of theft of a motor vehicle.

Watch footage of Jones' offences:

He pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court on February 27, and last week was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court to 28 months in a youth offenders institution.

Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney, of Northumbria Police, said: “We are pleased with this result following a series of offences which will have unsettled the community.

“Burglary is an invasive crime which can unfortunately leave victims feeling unsafe in their own homes.

Det Ch Insp Fenney added: “We are confident the outcome of this case will be welcomed by the community, and also reassure residents that we will not hesitate to take action.

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“This conviction and sentence would not have been possible without the assistance of the public, so this shows the value in reporting concerns to police.”

Anybody who sees anything suspicious in their area is asked to report it via the ‘Report’ page of Northumbria Police’s website or by calling 101.

If a crime is taking place, or in an emergency, always ring 999.