POLICE have launched an operation to beat organised teams of burglars who are sending Hyndburn's burglary rate rising.

An eight-strong team of plain-clothes and uniformed officers will keep watch on suspected offenders, who have been targeted after intelligence work by crime analysts.

Police have set up a confidential information hotline, and they say householders in the areas where the burglars have struck should be on their guard and report any suspicious activity.

In the first three weeks of 1999 there have been 44 burglaries from houses in Oswaldtwistle and Accrington, and 17 burglaries from commercial premises.

Most have happened in the Willows Lane, Manchester Road, Spring Hill Road and Oswaldtwistle areas.

Houses around the Persia Street, Empress Street and Russia Street areas have also been targeted.

Officers and resources from all over the Eastern Division will be deployed in the operation. Sergeant Paul Withers, who is leading the operation, said: "We set up this crime team because the burglary figures this month are much higher than normal.

"We have been working with crime analysts for more than a month now. They have looked at the figures and the methods used in the recent break-ins.

"We believe the people behind most of these burglaries are experienced criminals who make their living out of crime.

"We will be watching the suspects very closely round the clock and we will be stepping up crime prevention efforts in the areas concerned.

"I want people in those areas to tell us if they know anything about these break-ins. If they see anything suspicious they should report it immediately."

Anyone with information should call the intelligence office on 01254 353042 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.