A POLICE crackdown on crime in Lancashire is moving in to its third stage this week, with burglary the next target.

The operation will run until January 25 to take account of an increase in burglary over the Christmas and New Year period as people tend to have more property stored around their home.

Measures which will be taken include high visibility policing in vulnerable areas as a deterrent to would-be thieves.

Det Chf Supt Adrian McAllister, who is heading the operation, said: "We recognise that burglary is an upsetting crime for anyone to have to experience and here in Lancashire we have seen offences of this nature increase over recent months.

"Operation Reassure aims to tackle burglary head-on and make a real difference to the amount of crime being committed in the county.

"We will also be targeting extra resources towards preventing and detecting these offences.

"By targeting those people suspected of committing offences of burglary we will be sending a very clear message to the criminals in Lancashire.

"Some 20 per cent of burglaries are committed by offenders who enter property through insecure doors and windows.

"The public have a part to play by carrying out simple crime prevention measures such as leaving lights on and always locking doors and windows.

"We can only make a real impact on targeting those people suspected of committing offences of burglary with help from all our communities."