POLICE in Burnley have moved to clamp down on the town's burglary rate -- by targeting people who make false insurance claims.

Senior officers have warned anyone thinking of faking a report of burglary that they could be charged with a criminal offence.

Inspector Richard Robertshaw, of Burnley Police, issued the warning as part of a wide-ranging crackdown on burglaries called Operation Firewall.

He also revealed the police initiative against burglars has so far resulted in 130 arrests. And he pledged the crackdown would continue with officers focusing on the hardcore offenders not yet caught.

In the past four weeks, police say there have been at least four burglaries reported that have not actually taken place.

The ruses were uncovered by officers who are investigating every reported incident thoroughly as part of the special operation.

Insp Robertshaw said: "We don't want to deter any genuine victims from coming forward but anyone thinking of reporting a burglary that hasn't happened should be aware that all reports will be fully investigated.

"They could be charged with deception and possibly even perverting the course of justice."

Police are now seven weeks into the three-month campaign and of the 130 arrests made so far, 49 were for burglary.

In the last two days, Insp Robertshaw said there had only been two burglaries in the Burnley borough, which he said showed the operation was working.

He added: "I do think it's going fantastically well. Crime has fallen dramatically which shows we are doing a good job. We are going to keep the pressure on offenders and they can expect more arrests.."