SUSPECTED prolific car thieves are to find themselves under the microscope as part of a month-long crackdown in Hyndburn.

A traditional summer rise in problems with car crime has led officers to launch Operation Octavian.

Police officers will visit suspects at their homes at ‘all times of the day and night’ to remind them that their behaviour is being monitored.

The scheme will also see repeat offenders followed by uniformed officers ‘day and night’ with their every move filmed by police in a bid to reduce problems with car thefts, throughout August.

This week the first swoops on suspects’ homes took place.

And Lancashire Constabulary said Hyndburn’s most prolific auto-crime suspects could ‘expect to get to know local officers very well’ in the coming weeks.

Plans also include letters to be sent to all known criminals warning that police officers will also be carrying out additional patrols in hot spot areas across Hyndburn.

Inspector Graham Lister said “Auto crime levels in Hyndburn remain low.

“However we do experience a slight increase in this type of offence in July and August.

“There are steps that the public can take to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime.”

Officers are asking people to be vigilant about vehicle security and to contact police officers or Crimestoppers if they have any information about vehicle crime in the area.

Anyone with information about car crime can contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.