POLICE today declared war on car crooks after a massive operation led to one of East Lancashire's most notorious offenders being jailed.

Officers named and shamed Lee Suddick, of Blackburn, on his 19th birthday, and warned other car criminals they faced similar treatment if they continued to commit offences.

Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw today praised the move and said naming and shaming was an ideal way of ensuring justice was made public.

Suddick, of Cherry Tree Lodge, Blackburn, was jailed for two months after he admitted a string of car crimes and shoplifting.

Police believe the heroin addict is responsible for dozens of auto crimes, including vehicle theft, over the past year. He is now serving two months detention at Lancaster Farms Young Offenders Institute.

He was one of 38 people arrested during the operation in Blackburn, Hyndburn, Darwen and Ribble Valley, which is ongoing.

The scheme was launched in response to a 30 per cent increase in car crime in January, compared to the same month last year.

Since February the success of the clampdown has seen this figure turn into a 7.3 per cent decrease.

Mr Straw said: "This is excellent news. It is an important development because justice needs to be public.

"Too much of justice and court proceedings have disappeared into the undergrowth. It is important that people know what is happening and that they know who these terrible criminals are."

The crackdown has seen an increase in police activity across the division in areas where car crime is at its highest, such as car parks and secluded and unlit streets.

Suspected criminals have been targeted and warned about their offending.

The campaign has been a combined effort between traffic officers, armed police, dog handlers and beat bobbies. The units have been carrying out stop checks on vehicles and pedestrians to find out why they are in certain areas.

An undercover team has also been in operation and has arrested 26 offenders in the past month.

Insp Stuart Maullin, head of Eastern Division's Operations Department, said: "We consider this to be a big success and will be continuing the initiative for the foreseeable future. The message I would like to give out is that if people are committing auto crime in Eastern Division, they will be arrested and dealt with at court."

Before sentencing Suddick, Blackburn magistrates heard how he was arrested earlier this month after being seen trying to break into cars in Richmond Terrace, Blackburn, during a concert at the nearby King George's Hall and breaking into another car the following day.

He was given bail by magistrates but two days later was caught with a screwdriver in his pocket and in breach of a nightime curfew.