A man arrested in connection with three distraction burglaries has been charged with a further 28 offences.

Thomas Hannifin, 23, of no fixed address, was arrested on March 10 by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s specialist team, Operation Manhunt, which is dedicated to investigating crimes which affect the elderly, following an appeal on Crimewatch.

Officers appeared on the programme in March appealing for information about a series of 35 distraction burglaries which occurred across the south east of England between August and October 2014.

Hannifin was arrested and charged with three burglaries, which occurred in Barnet, Bramshott and Slough, following the appeal.

He was remanded in police custody. 

On June 22 the 23-year-old was charged with a further 28 burglaries, including 24 distraction burglaries and one robbery, in Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey and London.

Seven of the burglaries are alleged to have taken place in Buckhurst Hill, Epping and Waltham Abbey on October 18.

The victims were mainly aged in their 80s and 90s, with one victim aged 94. 

He is accused of creating a false reason to gain entry to the property to steal, such as investigating a burst pipe, or repairing a water leak. 

He will appear at St Albans Crown Court on July 1 to enter a plea.