A CRIME-BUSTING operation in rural areas has been hailed a great success by Darwen's new police inspector, Graham Ashcroft.

The crackdown, focusing on Belthorn, Edgworth, Hoddlesden, Pickup Bank, Turton and Belmont, took place on Friday and Saturday night between 8pm and 3am.

More than 82 vehicles were stopped, two people arrested for drink-driving and ten reported for traffic offences.

Twelve pub car parks in the area were monitored in a bid to reduce car crime and officers also patrolled areas on foot.

Insp Ashcroft said: "The idea was to reduce the amount of crime and anti-social behaviour as well as gaining criminal intelligence.

"We were really pleased with the results - over the course of the weekend only one garage was broken into and we had a good response from the public.

"People were very pleased to see a strong police presence and even some of the youths seemed to find it a novelty!

"The main problem in car parks is that people leave valuables on view - if they leave bags, coats and laptop computers on show they might as well leave a sign on their car saying 'please steal me'."

Two marked cars, two plain cars and a special high-powered plain car were used in the operation, with a sergeant and nine constables taking part in the exercise altogether.

PC Jim Whitlock and PC Paul Warren, of Darwen police station, planned the operation and it was led by Sgt Phil Houghton.

Insp Ashcroft said crime prevention leaflets were also handed out and 15 letters are to be sent to parents regarding their children's anti-social behaviour

He added: "I hope this is the first of many initiatives of this kind in the rural areas which were definitely suffering from crime at the weekend."

Insp Ashcroft officially takes over his new role from former Darwen Inspector Tracie O'Gara on November 5. Insp O'Gara is to work at Blackburn police station.