NEWS of a high profile clampdown on crime in Blackburn has reached the corridors of Westminster.

Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw briefed Home Office ministers about the crackdown, known as Operation Tango, after reading about its success in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Since the launch of the operation at the beginning of the month, police have arrested almost 120 people and crime is down by a third on this time last year.

Disorder offences have fallen by 15 per cent and officers have received hundreds of calls from the public with information about offences and known criminals.

Detective Inspector Tim Jacques said: "We are really pleased with the results.

"In the last week, as a result of information from a member of the public, we have arrested two of our main target house burglars in the Leamington Road area.

"And it is good to hear that news of the operation has reached the House of Commons.

"The operation will be carrying on for the foreseeable future and we still want members of the public with information to get in touch with us."

In the last few days the operation has been concentrating on the town centre and around Larkhill flats, with increased street patrols and mounted police working in the area.