Police have declared a campaign to tackle a spate of burglaries a huge success.

In the first twelve months since their launch, Burglary Action Teams, or BATS, have cut the number of burglaries by around ten per cent, Sussex Police say.

Sussex Police's Senlac division, which covers the Hastings and Rother area, launched its anti-burglary squads exactly a year ago since when a total of 160 offenders have been arrested and more burglaries have been detected.

Under the project, persistent offenders are identified and then targeted by officers who then make sure all bail conditions are complied with.

The operation has also developed a closer link with local councils as well as probation, drug and alcohol abuse agencies.

Information from police in Kent, Surrey and London has also resulted in a number of arrests and property being recovered.

Chief Inspector Robin Smith said: "Some offenders arrested are considered career criminals and they are responsible for the majority of burglaries in Senlac and indeed other divisions and forces.

"Keeping them locked up limits their ability to commit crime.

"The targeting of such people is paying off and I am delighted with the drop in the number of burglaries. That means hundreds of people being spared the misery of coming home to ransacked houses."

Mr Smith said the project would continue to operate in the division.