A CRACKDOWN on burglary in Lancashire has been hailed a success after police arrested over 350 people.

The two-month campaign, which was launched in January after a rise in burglary, has seen officers seize almost £30,000 of stolen property and visited numerous other burglary suspects.

Police carried out 183 warrants, searched over 2,800 suspects, seized 89 vehicles and visited more than 346 second hand shops.

Figures show burglary has reduced in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale by 5.8 per cent with 57 fewer victims between April 2011 and March this year compared with the same period the previous year.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Cooke said: “I am pleased with the results of the operation which show we have reduced the number of people affected by this intrusive crime.

“Despite the success this is just the start and we will continue to focus our efforts on those who persistently commit burglaries.

“Residents have an important part to play in locking out thieves and I urge people to make sure they keep their homes and vehicles locked and secure.

“Burglary levels in Lancashire are already at unprecedented lows but as part of our determination to keep it that way the operation is aimed at further reducing the number of crimes and at targeting known offenders.”

Action during Operation Julius included identifying Lancashire’s top burglary offenders, executing warrants and providing high visibility police patrols in burglary hot spot areas as well as enforcing a ‘ring of steel’ to prevent travelling criminals from coming into the county to commit crime.