We are all in favour of a police crackdown on the criminal fraternity.

The criminals lose no opportunity to put the frighteners on the law-abiding community, so it is good to see the tables turned for once.

Operation Backlash has netted 41 suspects in a week. Its original focus was burglary, robbery and car crime but it has proved more fruitful than expected, extending to illegal immigrants and disqualified drivers, among other things.

There is a strong feeling that criminals often get much more favourable treatment than their victims.

The police involved in Operation Backlash have still to gather evidence to support charging the people arrested.

But if and when that is done, we hope the courts will support the police and make sure that penalties fit the crime.