50 year-old Stephen Harold of Bentinck Place, Birkenhead, had served a four-year prison sentence for burglary and was released on licence on 10 May this year.

It was reported at 10.20am on 6 June that an offender had entered the rear door of a house on Withert Avenue, Higher Bebington in the early hours and stole items of jewellery and personal belongings.  

The offender was also reported to have tried a front door handle on another house on the same street at 2am the same morning.

At 2pm on Wednesday 8 June, a member of the public called police reporting a man acting suspiciously on the front pathways of a number of homes in West Kirby.

Patrols attended and Stephen Harold was detained near to Black Horse Hill, West Kirby.

A short time later, a resident of Black Horse Hill reported their rear door had been forced open and an offender had entered, though nothing was taken.

Harold was arrested and charged with one burglary and theft, two attempted burglaries and two counts of assault of an emergency worker.

He was subsequently recalled to prison for breach of the conditions of his release, to serve the remainder of his sentence until May 2023.

Detective Inspector Tony O'Brien heads up Operation Castle, Merseyside Police's dedicated operation to reduce the number of burglaries in Merseyside.

He said: "Harold's arrest and return to prison shows that Merseyside Police is relentless in our pursuit of those offenders who have no regard for the safety and security of people living in our communities.

"Harold repeatedly burgled and attempted to burgle homes in Wirral and in doing so violated the very place those residents have every right to feel safe.

"information from the public about suspicious activity in their area is a vital part of our efforts to put offenders like Harold before the courts and prevent them offending again, and I appeal to anyone who sees suspicious activity in their area to get in touch."

Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity in their area can DM @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook or call 101.

You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.