DOMESTIC burglary has fallen dramatically in the first two weeks of a county-wide crackdown.

Results from the first fortnight of Operation Reassure show a 25 per cent decrease in the number of homes targeted by thieves.

Since the launch of the campaign on November 5, a total of 89 people have been arrested for offences of burglary in a dwelling and 52 for burglary other than in a dwelling. Of those, 57 have been charged.

Chief Inspector Clive Tattum, who is co-ordinating the operation, said: "This operation was launched with a promise to the public of Lancashire that the police would tackle burglary head-on.

"Our approach has been intelligence-led and has resulted in a significant number of suspected criminals being arrested and taken off the streets. Figures for the first two-week period have shown a 25 per cent reduction on the levels across the county before the operation began. We must now try to sustain - or better still, improve on - this position."

Operation Reassure was initially launched last December as a response to an increase in the number of burglaries in the county. Since its launch, more than 1,000 people have been arrested in connection with burglary offences.