Police have caught a notorious criminal who committed 100 housebreakings.

The 20-year-old from ­Edinburgh, who is thought to have amassed stolen cars and property worth about £200,000 from break-ins, was detained at his home on Tuesday night.

The serial thief, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also believed to have caused £50,000 of damage during his crime spree. It is understood police came close to catching him in recent weeks following a major operation involving helicopters. He was finally apprehended at his home in north Edinburgh.