POLICE today launched a summer-long offensive against car thieves and burglars in Blackburn and Darwen.

The crackdown, named Operation Enigma, is aimed at known offenders and is part of the ongoing battle against crime in the borough.

Thousands of letters are being sent to homes across the borough encouraging people to write to the police with information about active criminals.

Extra officers are being drafted in to ensure the clampdown is a success and the operation got under way today with a number of raids on addresses across the borough.

Despite falling crime rates the area is still one of the busiest in Lancashire for offending and police bosses are determined to tackle the problem.

A series of anti-crime initiatives are being launched in the coming weeks including high profile patrols in Blackburn and Darwen.

Second hand shops and suspected handlers of stolen goods are also being targeted during the summer long clampdown.

Police will be working closely with other organisations including the probation service and the council during the operation.

They will also be targeting areas affected by problems with anti-social behaviour. Information on problem areas will gathered and used by police to target specific streets and areas.

There are also plans to use the recently introduced anti-social orders during the operation against known trouble-makers.

One of the first areas to come under the spotlit will be the Sett End Road industrial estate near Shadsworth.

Sergeant Andrea Barrow, of Blackburn police, said: "We will be using our intelligence to target known offenders.

"We will also be listening to the public and sending our officers where we know where there are problems."

Sergeant Barrow added: "We are also looking at people who are known to handle stolen goods and second hand shops in Blackburn and Darwen.

"We will be checking the books in second hand shops to make sure the items on sale are legitimate and not the proceeds from crime."

Chief Inspector Mick Gledhill said: "We will be actively working with other agencies over the next few months to try and bring about further reductions in crime and disorder.

"We will also be sending out letters to members of the public asking for assistance and we want people to reply to us so we can gather important information."