South Shropshire’s head of policing has welcomed a jail term imposed on a prolific burglar who raided homes and businesses in Ludlow, Bishop’s Castle and Cleobury Mortimer.

Inspector Ken Mackaill said people who resorted to crimes such as burglary could expect little sympathy from the courts and were likely to face lengthy prison sentences.

He was speaking following the sentencing of Jonathan Tisdale, 35, of Hereford, for three-and-a-half years at Shrewsbury Crown Court. Tisdale admitted the burglaries.

He also admitted a further burglary at commercial premises in Ludlow and asked for 21 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

The court heard the offences were committed shortly after he came out of prison.

Judge Robin Onions said: “You have got as extensive a record for burglary as I have ever come across, 81 offences, but that doesn’t count the offences you have had taken into consideration.”

Inspector Mackaill said: “Tisdale was responsible for a string of residential and commercial burglaries in south Shropshire over a short space of time, causing considerable distress and disruption to the people and businesses affected.

“He was arrested as a result of a combined operation using local officers, dog handlers, officers from the road policing unit, the force helicopter and our intelligence staff.

“The sentence handed down by the court reflects the seriousness with which these types of offences are treated, not just by the police, but throughout the criminal justice system.”

He said despite Tisdale’s offences, burglaries in south Shropshire remained relatively rare.