CHORLEY Police will be cracking down on burglary in the run up to Christmas and beyond.

Extra detectives are being drafted in to help, and blackspot areas will see high-visibility patrols.

The number of recorded burglaries has been on the increase across the county over recent months, say police, who put it down partly to the knock-on effect of a change in recording practices.

Phase three of Lancashire Police's Operation Reassure was launched this week -- it will run through Christmas and New year until Friday, January 25, next year.

Police warned that burglaries tend to increase at this time of year as thieves prey on the extra property people store in and around their homes.

Each division will employ a range of tactics in order to achieve these aims and all have already carried out detailed intelligence gathering to identify key target offenders. Extra officers, mainly detectives, will be released from their usual duties at headquarters to support the divisions in detecting burglaries.

Detective chief superintendent Adrian McAllister, who is heading up the operation, said: "Operation Reassure aims to tackle burglary head on and make a real difference to the amount of Crime being committed in the county."

He added: "Some twenty per cent of burglaries are committed by offenders who enter property through insecure doors and windows. The public have a part to play by carrying out simple crime prevention measures such as leaving lights on and always locking doors and windows.

"We can only make a real impact on targeting those people suspected of committing offences of burglary with help from our communities."

And he encouraged people with information about burglaries to contact the confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.