PROLIFIC car criminals in East Lancashire will be targeted over the next two months in a police ‘blitz’ on vehicle crime.

The major crackdown, called Operation Spartacus, is aimed at reducing victims of car crime in Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley throughout February and March.

According to police, half of all thefts from vehicles happen when owners leave them unlocked.

But Chief Inspector Damian Darcy, who is leading the campaign, promised a range of tactics to catch the worst offenders.

He said: “There is probably about 25 people who throughout the year will commit car crime, we’ll catch them, they’re sent to prison and somewhere along the line the same people will offend again.

“There has been a significant reduction in car crime, it’s on a downward trend. This operation is intended to drive it down even further.”

A range of high profile activity and various tactics will aim to disrupt the activities of the most prolific car criminals.

Chief Insp Darcy said: “Warning letters will be going out to our prolific offenders, signed by me, telling them we know who they are and where they live.

“We will be carrying out intelligence-led search warrants to find stolen property and targeting hotspot areas using overt and covert methods.

“One tactic we have is a number of sting vehicles deployed throughout the division. They are very successful and a number of prolific offenders have been caught this way.”