A clampdown on burglars by Oxford police has led to 65 arrests in less than two weeks.

Dc Paul Mackie with some of the confiscated items

Police launched Operation Blitz in a bid to reduce the number of burglaries in the city by targeting known offenders and suspects, following a spate of break-ins during December and January.

Sixty-five suspects have been arrested since February 2 for burglary and other crimes including drug possession, immigration violations and failure to appear at court on warrants.

Twenty officers from the city's burglary team, including plain clothes police and regular shift officers, have worked around the clock to catch house breakers and put them before the courts.

Operations have been taking place throughout the city, and patrols have been stepped up in burglary hot-spots.

Dc Paul Mackie, of the burglary team, said: "Getting as many offenders in as this has been a real result and is the product of an extremely dedicated and tenacious team, supported by excellent intelligence-gathering.

"This has been a very successful operation so far and will run as long as it is felt necessary.

"Over a 24-hour period during Monday and Tuesday there were no burglaries in Oxford, and we have seen far fewer burglaries in the city since the operation began." Officers are keen to disrupt the activities of drug dealers and users who fund their habits by breaking into homes.

Twenty-nine of those arrested have appeared before magistrates in Oxford, with most of the other suspects released on police bail pending further inquiries.

East Oxford, between Cowley Road and Iffley Road, is one of the city's most affected areas.

Sgt Jim O'Ryan, head of east Oxford's beat team, said: "It has brought about a dramatic reduction in the burglary rate in east Oxford."

Kaye Thorne, 44, of Rose Hill, Oxford, whose home was burgled in August 2002, said: "I'm pleased the police are making the effort to go out and get these people. When you are burgled you feel violated and don't feel secure in your own home."

Thames Valley Police last year made burglary its number one priority following a sharp rise.