A high profile crackdown on burglary and car crime was today declared a success, with 149 arrests in four days.

The week-long initiative - which included sending non-operational officers out on the beat and analysing forensic evidence - started last Monday.

Operation Relentless culminated with police launching increased patrols of Leigh at the end of last week.

During the first four days of the operation, 149 arrests were made across the county and 516 offences detected.

Det Chief Supt Steve Reynolds, head of Essex Police crime division, said: "This operation has made it clear to criminals that we are determined to catch them."

Published Monday, March 4, 2002