A DAWN swoop on suspected burglars has been hailed a major success by St Helens police after £50,000 worth of property was recovered and 27 people arrested.

More than 200 officers went into action in early morning raids - part of Operation Bumblebee - throughout St Helens on Tuesday, March 5. Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cahill, heading up the effort, said: "Today's operation is the culmination of several months' preparation and shows the commitment and response of Merseyside police to combatting the increasing burglary problem. Today's operation has also shown how successful the Bumblebee initiative is."

Twenty-four of the people arrested by the police were charged with various offences including supplying controlled drugs and other offences related to burglary and theft. They appeared at a special court in St Helens yesterday (Wednesday) morning.

In all, police recovered 64 pedal cycles, more than 300 credit cards, and 400 other items of property including electrical goods, tools and garden equipment.

The police also recovered heroine, several rocks of crack cocaine and a substantial amount of amphetamines.

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