SUSPECTED burglars in the Huntingdon and St Ives areas will be getting a visit from the police as part of a new operation to cut down on the number of break-ins in the towns. As part of Operation Sorbus, suspects will be given a letter which aims to preve

SUSPECTED burglars in the Huntingdon and St Ives areas will be getting a visit from the police as part of a new operation to cut down on the number of break-ins in the towns.

As part of Operation Sorbus, suspects will be given a letter which aims to prevent them returning to a life of crime.

It will also warn them they will be arrested if they commit any further offences.

Launched on Monday (August 17), the operation will see officers targeting people suspected of burglary and receiving stolen property.

Extra patrols will be carried out in burglary hotspots where anyone acting suspiciously will be stopped and searched.

Officers will also be visiting 12 suspects they believed to be involved in break-ins.

The operation has been launched following a slight increase in burglaries in both towns over the past month.

Police figures show that in Huntingdon there were four break-ins from July 5 to July 19, compared to eight the following two weeks. While in St Ives there were two burglaries from July 5 to July 19 which increased to nine.

Chief Inspector Russell Waterston, who is leading the operation, said: "Following the success of Operation Luton in Wisbech, the same tactics will be employed in Huntingdon and St Ives.

"Although we have seen a slight increase in offences in these areas we hope that by taking action immediately we can stop this rise becoming a bigger problem.

"We will invest time and resources into tackling the issue by gathering intelligence and bringing those responsible to justice.

"I would urge residents to give us any information they may have from the community about who is responsible or anyone who is known for handling stolen goods."

INFORMATION: Anyone with information about burglaries in St Ives and Huntingdon, should contact police on 0345 4564564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.