NORTH Yorkshire's chief constable has claimed a police operation has got the county's criminal fraternity running scared, with 800 arrests being made within a month.

Della Cannings warned persistent offenders that they would be targeted when the county's Operation Delivery was launched on September 8.

Since then, 811 people have been arrested - including 64 in one day.

Some suspects have been bailed while further inquiries are made by officers. Other people have already been charged and are awaiting an appearance in court.

Of the arrests made, 117 were in connection with burglaries, 136 for assault, 17 for drug offences and 208 for theft.

Ms Cannings said: "Criminals are running scared - and so they should be.

"Operation Delivery is all about my pledge to deliver improved services to the people of North Yorkshire and my officers are putting a major effort into driving down crime by taking large numbers of criminals out of circulation. They are succeeding in spectacular style."

Ms Canning said there would be no let up in the drive to lock up the criminals.

She said: "This operation will go on and on. It will be relentless and it will be unswerving. Criminals should not think for a second that we will go away after a while; North Yorkshire Police have every intention of turning up the heat - and keeping it up."

Communities around Richmond were among the latest to benefit at the weekend, when special constables were brought in to supplement regular officers on a number of initiatives.

Another three arrests were made, including one in connection with burglary reported in Richmond.

Others special constables joined foot patrols in the town, as well as in Colburn.

Elsewhere, more than 30 extra officers have joined colleagues already working on Operation Delivery.

They included specialists from the Economic Crime Unit, Special Branch, crime scientists, community safety officers and the health and safety officer.