ONE of the biggest police operations ever launched on the Fylde Coast swung into action at the weekend, aimed at cutting summer crime, rowdiness and road accidents.

Already some crime rates have plummeted this holiday season - up to 29 per cent for criminal damage around pubs and clubs, 17 per cent for assaults - thanks to new tactics preventing trouble before it starts.

Operation Arrival - which has been running on big holiday weekends since Easter in Blackpool and Fylde - last weekend combined for the first time with Operation Blackbird in Fleetwood, Poulton and Thornton Cleveleys to cover the whole coast with up to 120 staff a day for the rest of the season when crime traditionally peaks.

Persistent offenders are being watched and, if necessary, hauled in to disrupt their activities. Last weekend 68 people were arrested across the coast, 52 had their curfews checked and 132 were stopped and searched.

Operation commander Chief Inspector Warren Turner said the message was simple: "If you are a persistent offender anywhere in the Fylde you will be targeted and your criminal activity will be disrupted."

In addition, rowdyism hot-spots around pubs and clubs are flooded with yellow-jacketed police at high-risk times. Last Saturday night was one of the busiest ever, said Chief Insp Turner, yet arrests for disorder were few.

Another summer problem, bored kids annoying residents and vandalising property, is also being targeted by diverting them with free football sessions, athletics, cricket, netball, rounders and even bowls, run by police and Blackpool Council in deprived areas during the six-week school holidays.

A major campaign against drink-driving was launched this week and is being rigorously enforced to cut road casualties, while traffic checks are also helping stop the habitual criminal going about his business.

Said Chief Insp Turner: "If we can come up with a 10 per cent cut in crime overall, our target this year, that means 2,000 less victims of crime in Blackpool and Fylde. This is a significant figure and we have been achieving that for the past eight or nine months."

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