A crackdown on burglary in Lancashire has been hailed a success after police arrested over 320 people.

The campaign codenamed Operation Julius – which was launched last month, has seen officers seize almost £44k of stolen property and visited numerous burglary suspects.

Police have executed 32 search warrants, spoken to over 500 burglary suspects, seized 54 vehicles and visited more than 247 second hand shops.

Despite the operation being over, police are warning that the fight against burglary will go on.

Superintendent Damian Darcy said: “I am pleased with the results of the operation which show we have been working hard to reduce the number of people affected by this intrusive crime.

“Despite the success this is just the start and we will continue to focus our efforts on those who persistently commit burglaries.

“Residents have an important part to play in locking out thieves and I urge people to make sure they keep their homes and vehicles locked and secure.

“Burglary levels in Lancashire are already at unprecedented lows but as part of our determination to keep it that way the operation is aimed at further reducing the number of crimes and at targeting known offenders.”

Action during Operation Julius included identifying Lancashire’s top burglary offenders, and executing warrants and providing high visibility police patrols in burglary hot spot areas.

Officers used a range of overt and covert tactics to tackle suspected offenders, some of which involved filming them to prevent burglaries, and issuing warning letters designed to warn burglars against committing crime.