POLICE have hailed the success of the latest crackdown on car crime and burglary in Blackburn town centre after 19 people were arrested and charged.

They said that included among those arrested as part of Operation Enforce was a police "prime target".

Operation Enforce has been launched as a response to a recent increase in burglary and vehicle crime in Blackburn town centre, Mill Hill and Fishmoor areas.

Police figures for October showed on average there were seven burglaries a day and four incidents of vehicle crime. This has now dropped to an average of three burglaries and just one incident of vehicle crime per day.

Chief Inspector Neil Smith, the man in charge of the operation, said: "We are sending out a strong message to those committing crime in Blackburn that we know who they are and they will be arrested.

"This is only the start. It is essential that we continue to work with the community and other agencies in order to effectively tackle crime in these areas."

Nineteen of the 22 people arrested have been charged with a variety of offences and will appear at Blackburn Magistrates Court next week. They are: Peter Howleson, 34, of Ulverston Close, handling stolen goods; Stephen Murdock, 29, Heaton Street, vehicle interference; Bernard Rawstron, 26, Heaton Street, vehicle interference and breach of bail; James Douglas, 19, Bridge Street, theft; Peter McDonagh, 22, Brother Street, failure to appear; Lee Napy, 25, North Road, failure to appear; Stephen Atkinson, 36, Lindisfarne, public order offence; Marcus Walton, 17, Fishmoor, burglary; Wayne Russell, 22, Laxey Road, assault; Ian Leatherd, 17, Bolton Road, handling stolen goods; Scott Dagg, 18, Moseley Street, burglary; Dean Taylor, 19, Park Lee Road, burglary; Peter Kay, 18, Pilmuir Road, burglary and handling stolen goods; Wayne Gregson, 26, Hollins Street, burglary, theft and breach of bail; James Douglas, 19, Bridge Street, breach of bail.

Three juveniles were also arrested and charged with burglary and three males arrested on suspicion of burglary but later released without charge. More arrests are planned over the next few days.

Lee Suddick, 19, of Fawcett Close, Blackburn, wanted for escaping from Blackburn magistrates court last week, has been arrested and will appear before magistrates next week.