A CAMPAIGN to rid Rossendale's streets of crime and anti-social behaviour has seen several fines and arrests since it was launched last week, say police.

Operation Frustrate involves more than 100 officers from across the Pennine division, including specialist officers from the Support Unit, Dog Unit, Armed Response Unit, Road Policing Unit and Persistent Offender Team.

Over the past week they have targeted Rossendale's most prolific offenders and blitzed some of the most troublesome hot spots in a bid to disrupt criminal or anti-social behaviour.

Action has included:

l The execution of a drugs warrant at Thorn Bank, Bacup, following a tip-off from the public. Drugs, suspected to be heroin and crack cocaine were recovered and a woman aged 26 was arrested. She is currently on police bail pending further enquiries.

l Seven arrests for failing to appear at court warrants, criminal damage and stealing electricity.

l The arrest of a banned driver.

l The issuing of four fixed penalty notices for selling alcohol to juveniles and four fixed penalty notices for criminal damage.

l The detection of eight offences of recent criminal damage.

l The seizure of a motorcycle.

l Youths being spoken to about their behaviour and receiving letters home to their parents.

Sgt Chris Counsell from Rossendale police said: "Operation Frustrate is a concerted effort to rid our streets of criminals and reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour.

"Significant resources are being poured into the operation and we are confident that, together with local officers, these extra resources will make a real impact on already low levels of criminal activity in the Rossendale Valley.

"As people can see from the results to date, we're not targeting any particular section of the community -- we are targeting all criminal and anti-social activity regardless of the ages of the offenders.

"If people are engaging in this type of behaviour and they have not yet had a visit from our officers then be warned: it is only a matter of time before officers working on Operation Frustrate catch up with them. This is clearly no idle threat given our achievements to date."

He added: "If people are aware of criminal activity in their neighbourhood or see anyone acting suspiciously then we want to hear about it."

People can contact local police on 08451 25 35 45 or they can call Crimestoppers free and in confidence on 0800 555 111.