Operation Crunch began with letters being written to 143 persistent offenders offering ‘free travel to a police station and free accommodation in a cell’ if they committed further crimes.

The effort, involving a team of 16 officers, was a response to a spate of 128 thefts from cars and 61 burglaries in a single week early in September.

In the past seven days, Operation Crunch lead officer Chief Supt Mak Chisty reported six arrests, two cautions and one person bailed pending further enquiries. Three more suspects went directly to court because they were wanted on warrant.

Among successes, a Leamington burglar who stole from an elderly couple and then wrestled another homeowner to the floor in the middle of the night was jailed for three years.

Drug addict Steven Bicknell, 23, of Crown Way, was held after a stop and check by officers and later admitted two charges at Warwick Crown Court. He asked for a further 17 offences committed in a two-month spree to be taken into account.

In Saltisford, Warwick, a raid as part of the crackdown led to the arrest of a 50-year-old woman and a man, 30, on suspicion of possession of cannabis. The man was also questioned about growing cannabis.

The disruption of a drugs network in Stratford district, and three more arrests, completed the week.

Chief Supt Chisty welcomed the results - and asked members of the public to make sure the push continued.

He said: “We want to give a clear message to anyone thinking of burgling someone's home or breaking into a car.

“Not only are the police aware of you, but members of the public are watching you as well. We have set up a 24-hour telephone hotline for information about car criminals and burglars within their community - a direct link between the public and the officers working on Operation Crunch.

“We want the community to help us, as a few good pieces of intelligence when put together can link an individual to one or more crimes.

“Criminals need to be more concerned than ever.”

Anyone wishing to pass on information about car criminals or burglars should ring 415247.