MORE than one in five of all cars stolen in Blackburn over the summer were taken by just one 15-year-old boy.

The youth admitted to 27 car thefts in a two month period.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the teenager pleaded guilty to four specimen charges of taking a motor vehicle without consent and asked for a further 23 to be taken into consideration all committed between the end of July and mid-September. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded to the care of the local authority until November 11 when he will be sentenced with the benefit of pre-sentence reports.

The catalogue of offences included the removal of vehicles from outside homes in Park Lee Road, Moorgate Street, Bishopstone Court, Springfield Avenue, Idstone Close, Scarborough Road, Branch Road, Sandy lane, Manxman Road, Carnforth Close, Ridgeway Avenue, Silverdale Close, Thornton Close, East Park Close, Holmbrook Close, Leyton Close, Ulverston Close, Pilmuir Road, Aster Close, Sycamore Close and School Lane, Guide.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said the youth was clearly a persistent offender. She said he was currently subject to an action plan order and was also in breach of a conditional discharge.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said his client had been full and frank with the police.

"Clearly an all options report would be appropriate given the catalogue of offences before you today," said Mr Ditta.

Today, Inspector Ian McCann said the boy had been caught after a lengthy police investigation.

"We work on a number of different levels to try and halt car crime.

"One of the things we do is target known offenders and make sure we know where they are and talk to them to find out what they are doing.

"This particular boy was responsible for a number of different types of crimes and it was no surprise to us when he was caught stealing cars.

"We actually caught him in the act six or seven times and forensic evidence was found at the other scenes."