POLICE in East Durham have warned that a crackdown on winter crime will leave lawbreakers with no place to hide.

In an operation codenamed Darc, house burglars have been targeted through a series of new measures.

The anti-crime package is intended to detect burglaries, arrest offenders, reduce offending, and to offer crime prevention advice to householders.

Although instances of burglaries in the Durham Constabulary area have fallen by 27 per cent compared with last year, there is often an increase in the crime during the winter.

Local crime manager, Detective Chief Inspector Denis Pygall, said the message to house burglars was clear.

"We will crack down on those dwelling house burglars who persistently break the law, and the courts have supported us greatly by imposing custodial sentences for prolific repeat offenders," he said.

"Despite our previous successes we can't afford to be complacent.

"Through intelligence and analytical work we intend to target both offenders and crime hotspots. Intensified police activity will follow, and the burglar will be hit by it."

He added: "The message is very simple - if you're doing this type of crime expect to do time."

Combating house burglaries was one of the main priorities identified in the District of Easington's Crime and Disorder Audit last year.

The head of the authority's community safety team, Steve Arkley said: "In the first 12 months of the strategy the district partners succeeded in bringing about a 25 per cent fall in this type of offence."

He predicted that Operation Darc would have a considerable impact on the partnership's aim.

Chairman of the local crime prevention panel, Alan Knowles said: "The police are doing their part and we will give all our support."

Householders are being invited to attend crime prevention surgeries run by PC Graham Johnson and Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Anne Ward.

These will be held at Dawdon Co-operative Development Shop, Seaham, on Wednesdays from 1pm to 4pm for the next six weeks and all day on November 16, at the Asda store in Peterlee.