CROOKS involved in organised crime are being targeted in a massive police operation across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

During the next week officers will raid homes and workplaces of known suspects.

The seven days of ‘intensive crime fighting’ will also include vehicle stop checks and the use of automatic number plate recognition technology.

By targeting suspected drug dealers, fraudsters and violent criminals, police are hoping to seize illegal substances, cash and weapons.

Officers will also be speaking to schoolchildren and residents to discourage them from being tempted by a life of crime.

The overall aim is to make the area a ‘hostile’ environment for organised crime groups and to show them there is ‘nowhere to hide’.

Operation Fly Trap, which is being launched today, will see hundreds of officers execute search warrants and stop vehicles on a daily basis.

Last year officers working on similar operations across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, made over 130 arrests, seized around £200,000 in cash and £600,000 worth of drugs, as well as cars and weapons from people involved in organised crime.

A series of high profile operations also led to the conviction of criminals involved in organised crime, who are now behind bars.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Critchley said the aim of Operation Fly Trap was to stop any potential ‘Mr Big’ type characters coming to the fore and ‘nip in the bud’ the threat of oranised crime becoming a large problem in the area.

He said: “The activities of organised crime groups feed the habit of those who commit the crimes that impact upon many of us, burglary, robbery, car crime, and make local neighbourhoods feel less safe.

“As part of Operation Fly Trap we aim to make the Pennine policing area a very hostile place for those involved in organised crime.

“We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to root them out and put them before the courts.”

DCI Critchley said a number of the targets have been identified through information received by local people.

He highlighted the importance of people reporting suspicious activity and getting in touch with officers.

“Most of the time it’s the little things that give these criminals away, such as people coming and going at odd hours of the day or a top of the range car outside a house where none of the family are working,” he said.

The operation will also involve neighbourhood teams speaking to schools and community groups about the crackdown on organised crime.

By telling local youngsters about recent convitions they are hoping to convey a message that crime does not pay.

DCI Critchley said: “Offenders have nowhere to hide. Criminals will be targeted, put behind bars and stripped of their assets by police.”