OFFENDERS are being promised a frosty reception by police in Nelson, Brierfield and Barrowford during a pre-Christmas crime blitz.

Operation Freeze will be unveiled at a meeting between police, traders and other invited parties at Nelson Town Hall tomorrow.

The operation will include extra high visibility foot patrols in hot-spot crime areas, flying visits at key intervals by the force helicopter and mobile patrols by road policing officers on key routes in and out of the town.

Inspector Paul Robinson said officers would be doing their level best to ensure that offenders were left well and truly out in the cold over the festive period.

He said: "We're working hard to cut crime and we've enjoyed a good deal of success to date this year with offences across the board down 8.7 per cent.

"However, we traditionally see an increase in crime at this time of year, particularly shop theft and autocrime, which is why we are making a determined effort to root out offenders. Our message to would-be criminals is clear -- commit crime in the Nelson area and we will do our level best to make sure that you pay the price."