LANCASHIRE police hope criminals will be caught in the web as part of a major crime fighting initiative.

Operation Reassure, which is being relaunched in the Lancaster area this week, involves a series of measures to tackle serious crime.

As part of the campaign, 10 wanted people with warrants outstanding for their arrest will appear on the force's internet site at www.lancashire.police.uk.

A previous attempt to use the internet site for tracking people had to be scrapped for legal reasons, which have now been ironed out.

Force internet officer Ian Singleton said: "The force piloted the idea of publicising wanted people on the internet during the first Operation Reassure.

"If the scheme continues to be a useful tactic, the force will carry on using the internet for wanted people after the operation has finished."

Meanwhile, up to 200 extra officers are to be are to be deployed from headquarters and will join 'high visibility' police patrols in towns and villages.

The police also plan to issue warrants and arrest offenders throughout the week.

Detective chief superintendent Adrian McAllister said: "Operation Reassure aims to do just that, reassure the public of Lancashire that the constabulary is committed to reducing crime and the fear of crime.

"We will aim to do this through problem-oriented policing that is intelligence-led, with the main focus on those offenders suspected of committing crimes that cause the most public concern; including house burglaries, car crimes and violence.