ARRESTS have been made as part of a major new county-wide crime crackdown.

Operation Vanquish was launched on Monday (December 6) with officers intent on making arrests and keeping our communities safe.

The crime-clampdown plan will focus on tackling issues which most blight communities across Lancashire - from drug dealing to burglaries.

During the force's first day of action, three men were arrested after offices swooped on addresses in Blackpool, Lancaster and Morecambe.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Procter, who was out with officers overseeing the operation on Monday said: “Operation Vanquish is designed to tackle the issues of most concern to our local communities by taking the fight to criminals.

“The operation will see local Police officers, as well as specialist officers, carrying out a wide range of policing activity designed to deter and disrupt criminal activity and keep our communities safe.

“The vast majority of people living in Lancashire are law abiding citizens who do not deserve to have their lives disrupted by the actions of a minority of offenders.

“Thanks to Operation Vanquish, offenders have no place to hide. We have significantly raised the risk of them being caught and put behind bars.”

Despite the fact the first series of raids and arrests took place in other parts of the county, spots and criminals in the east of the county will be tackled over the coming days and weeks.

A spokesman said: "It will involve a surge of police activity with dozens of officers swooping on different areas of the county in a bid to blitz crime and associated antisocial behaviour.

"More work is planned in the coming weeks including dozens more warrants, along with community engagement activity, traffic enforcement and crime prevention work, all designed to disrupt and deter criminal activity and keep the county’s people and communities safe."

Operation Vanquish is ongoing. Anyone with any information which may assist officers in their pledge to combat crime, can speak to a local officer or call Crimestoppers free and in confidence on 0800 555 111.