BLACKBURN Police launched their Christmas crime crackdown this week hoping it will be the most successful ever.
Within two hours of launching Operation Mistletoe two people were arrested for shoplifting offences. And Crime prevention officer Sergeant Alan Holt said: "We are confident this will be the most effective Christmas operation the town's ever had."
The force's mounted police made their first appearance in the town centre on Monday and will be a regular feature.
Other measures include uniformed officers patrolling shops, traffic police checking car parks for auto thieves, and under cover officers on shadow patrol to catch crooks red-handed.
And police will apply to the courts for people arrested in the town centre to be barred from returning until their cases have been heard.
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