POLICE have arrested scores of robbery and burglary suspects at the launch of the biggest crackdown on crime ever to take place in West Yorkshire.

Around 200 officers working in teams carried out early-morning raids on Monday and Tuesday to launch Operation Target.

More than 50 people were arrested in West Yorkshire, and six arrests were made within the Weetwood division, including one in Guiseley.

The two-year initiative is the first of its kind in the country and will see van loads of officers descend on a hit-list of districts, blitzing known offenders in early-morning raids.

Chief Con Graham Moore told the 200 officers gathered at Mill Garth Police Station before the first raid: "This is the biggest crackdown on crime West Yorkshire has ever seen. We have heard a lot of people at community forums saying crime is going up, but now we're going to show them that crime is going down."

By holding a day of action, police were able to pursue persistent offenders, and clear up outstanding arrests .

Teams of police officers set off in vans, keeping in touch with the officers in charge via mobile phones, with some under the escort of motorcycle teams.

The teams were able to call for back-up from dog handlers in case a suspect managed to escape, and the force also carried with them a sniffer dog trained to seek out drugs during house searches.

Officers were given a list of suspects to arrest. In some cases, officers were forced to break down the doors of suspects' homes to carry out their search.

But many of the arrests were made after police were allowed in by suspects - in some cases, suspects contacted by the police volunteered themselves at the nearest police station for arrest.

Supt Francis Habgood, head of Weetwood Division, said he felt the first stages of the initiative had been a great success, and said even those arrests outside the area would benefit people living in Wharfedale, Horsforth and Aireborough.

He said: "The people who should be living in fear are the criminals."

Over the coming weeks and months, hundreds of criminals will be rounded up with stolen goods, drugs and weapons seized, police chiefs promised.

Supt Habgood said he was confident that the streamlining of the law courts system would mean those charged will be brought before a court more quickly, and the chance of a successful prosecution would be greater.

But Supt Habgood emphasised the need for members of the community to work with police, and volunteer information which could help fight crime.

l Men arrested within the

division are appearing in court today on burglary charges. A man arrested within the Weetwood Division has been charged with eight robberies.