POLICE are sending a festive greetings card to suspected house-breakers in the run up to Christmas with the seasonal warning: We're after you!

A special edition of the Lancashire Constabulary's official Christmas card has been stamped with the Operation Reassure logo along with a clear message -- Targeting Domestic Burglary.

The festive mail-shot details the extra resources being thrown behind the operation to cut burglaries which was launched last month.

Det Chief Supt Adrian McAllister, the man leading the operation, said: "We are sending a special Christmas message to all those people suspected of committing domestic burglary in Lancashire.

"We are putting extra effort into targeting this crime and as a result those arrested as burglary suspects will have little to celebrate over the holiday period."

The idea of sending festive cards to suspected criminals was pioneered in Pennine Division last year and was so successful that police have now spread it county-wide. Around 600 cards are expected to be sent out.

Since the start of Operation Reassure, on November 5, 196 people have been arrested for burglary with 85 people charged. In addition more than 90 people have been arrested for other forms of burglary with 41 of those facing charges.

The arrests follow detailed intelligence gathering across the constabulary's six divisions. Extra officers, mainly detectives, have been seconded from headquarters to support divisions in detecting burglary offences.

High visibility patrols have also been launched and will continue to be mounted into the New Year.

Chief Supt McAllister added: "We will continue to direct efforts to hot-spot areas and neighbourhoods and by targeting those people suspected of committing burglaries we will also have an effect on drug users and dealers.

"Reassurance is a key aspect of the operation. We hope that the increased number of arrests and continued activity will make the public feel that way."