Police are launching a new initiative to tackle burglars who target city basement flats.

The branch of Operation Pulse follows a dramatic increase in the number of thefts from lower- ground-floor apartments in Brighton and Hove since the summer, as many as 20 a week.

The new security blitz will run alongside police operations aimed at taking persistent or known criminals off the streets, resulting in seven arrests so far this week.

They include one man who was stopped and searched after he was seen leaving the basement of a flat in Tisbury Road, Hove, early on Tuesday.

Police community support officers, based in Hove, have already posted hundreds of letters through doors in the Brunswick area of the city centre.

Community support officer Nick Packham said: "We will be speaking to people who live in basement flats in the Brunswick area on Saturday as part of Operation Pulse.

"We will carry out a brief survey which will be used by our crime prevention officers to compile a comprehensive free report for each flat on how security can be improved."

Colleague Ben Mitchell said the initiative had been welcomed by people in Brunswick Road and Cambridge Road.

He said: "Quite a few have asked us for suggestions on how to improve their security.

"We can point out things to them like having a security light fitted outside the door to the flat.

"Basements are a particular target for burglars because they cannot be seen easily from the street.

"It is particularly important to have good security at this time of year when it gets dark early, which provides extra cover.

"We have had a lot of help from builders and workmen in the area who are very good at letting us know if they see someone acting suspiciously."

Further information about improving home security is available on 0845 6070999.