POLICE have charged a man with 51 burglaries, nearly half of which are alleged to have happened in Hampshire.

Albert Ian James, 56, of Mill Road Crescent, Donnington, Chichester, West Sussex has today been charged with the 51 offences.

This relates to 24 burglaries in the Waterlooville, Fareham and Portsmouth areas of Hampshire and 27 burglaries in Sussex and follows a joint investigation between Hampshire Constabulary and Sussex Police.

James will appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on March 12.