EXTRA police officers will patrol Preston's residential areas into the New Year to prevent burglars looting Christmas presents.

The crackdown is the third phase of Operation Reassure -- Lancashire Constabulary's county-wide campaign to reduce burglaries and make the public feel more secure.

The force has recorded a rise in the crime in recent months and officers want to curb this for the festive period when so many people store extra property.

As well as the patrols in vulnerable areas, detectives will be released from duties at headquarters to help detect and analyse burglaries.

And each division has already compiled intelligence on repeat offenders in an attempt to catch them in the act this Christmas.

Police predict the patrols will also hit drug dealing and car crime as well.

Detective chief inspector Graham Gardner, of Preston police, said: "Officers throughout the division will be working closely with the additional officers from headquarters to have a positive impact on burglary.

"Not only reducing the number of people who fall victim to this upsetting crime but also increasing the number of burglars charged before the courts.

"In central division we will be actively targeting all our known burglary offenders as well as carrying out high-visibility patrols across Preston and the surrounding areas."

Detective superintendent Adrian McAllister, who is heading up the operation, said: "Operation Reassure aims to tackle burglary head-on and make a real difference to the amount of crime being committed in the county.

"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."