KNOWN criminals are to be targeted in a month-long crackdown in hotspot areas.

And police in Eastern Division, which covers Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, have warned there will be no exceptions.

Operation Except will concentrate on individuals responsible for burglaries and car crime as well as those involved in drug-related offences.

It began yesterday and resulted in the execution of six warrants and the arrest of two people.

Officers from the operational support department, including road policing, dog patrols, the armed response unit and the operational support unit, will concentrate on targets throughout the division.

An incident room has been set up at Accrington police station for intelligence unit detectives to monitor progress of the operation.

Crime reduction co-ordinator for Eastern Division, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Smith, who is leading the operation says it is as much about reassurance as tough action.

He said: "The public want to see officers on the street, fighting crime.

"More than 30 officers will be engaged on this operation over the next month and I expect them to have a significant impact on crime.

"We want the public to know that we will not tolerate criminal activity and that we will be doing our utmost to arrest and bring those responsible to justice."

But DCI Smith emphasised that this is not a quick-fix campaign.

He said: "This is an intelligence-led, targeted operation and while the bulk of the activity will take place during March, we are simply building on the good work undertaken previously around the division.

"We definitely expect a short term drop in crime, but the key to success is maintaining that.

"We need the public to continue to give the police good information so we can target that activity on the areas where they have concerns. We need to work together to bring down crime."

Tactics to be used during Operation Except, include high-profile warrants on target addresses, the use of the Automated Number Plate Reader (ANPR) and high-visibility patrolling in hotspot areas.