POLICE today appealed for help in catching two of East Lancashire's most wanted burglary suspects as part of an operation to clampdown on house-breakers.

And a local MP today praised the scheme for getting tough on the small number of criminals who are responsible for the majority of crimes -- as police warned persisitent offenders that they would go to jail.

Police said Simon Horne and Thomas Lee are believed to be prolific burglars and both are wanted in connection with a number of offences in the Mill Hill and Knuzden areas.

Police said Horne, 24, was seen at a crime scene as recently as Friday night, but left the area when approached.

Horne was thought to be living in the Mill Hill area and Lee is believed to be in Accrington or Oswaldtwistle, but police have been unable to find either of them.

Today Hyndburn MP Greg Pope praised the scheme, saying it was good to see justice being done.

He said: "This is a brilliant idea. It's about time that we got really tough on the small number of people who are responsible for the majority of burglaries in East Lancashire.

"They deserve life being made tough for them."

More than 30 suspected burglars have been arrested in the last five weeks across Eastern Division, which covers Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley.

The new scheme was launched to build on the recent success of reducing burglaries which has seen the level of housebreaking in the division drop by 50 per cent in the last five years.

Numbers of burglaries in the whole of Blackburn and Darwen are now down to as few as three or four a day.

Currently the areas of Whitebirk, Mill Hill and Knuzden are being hardest hit by burglars and these areas are being targeted by officers.

Det Chief Insp Steve Hartley, who is leading the clampdown, said: "We will be targeting burglars on a daily basis using dedicated teams of officers. We will arrest them and, if they are bailed, we will be checking to see if they are continuing to offend. If they are, they will be arrested again.

"The bottom line is that we are determined to crack down on burglaries. However, the public must help us. We know that all residents are against burglary and we are looking to work together to put some fear in the criminal that he will be caught and sent to prison."

"To the thieves I would say 'Look over your shoulder because we are watching you'."

A new system of 'three strikes and you're out' has come in to play under the Power of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000. The new law means burglars convicted of a third offence can be jailed for up to three years.

A poster campaign in hotspot areas and leaflets in local papers are planned as well as the targeting of known offenders.

Residents across the division will also receive a leaflet asking them to check the security of their homes. They are also being asked to contact police with any information about burglars or handlers of stolen goods or if they see anything suspicious in their area.

Eastern Division's Chief Supt John Thompson, said: "Although we have seen the level of burglaries decrease in the last five years, we are urging people not to be complacent. As well as burglary, dedicated teams will be targeting other offences such as handling stolen goods, in a bid to make such activities unacceptable in the community."

PIC: Thomas Lee, named by police.