A POLICE operation to hunt down thieves in the east of Newcastle resulted in a sharp fall in burglaries.

Operation Hunter, set up by Newcastle East Area Command to tackle burglaries in Heaton, Sandyford and Jesmond Vale, lasted four weeks, during which burglaries fell by 72 per cent.

Twenty one people were arrested, three search warrants executed, with £19,000 worth of property and drugs recovered.

The operation forms part of Newcastle east's crime reduction strategy being developed through a Multi-Agency Partnership Solving approach (Maps) involving Newcastle City Council, the universities and residents.

There are short, medium and long-term plans to cut burglaries in key areas, by increasing home security and keeping residents informed of developments.

There will also be extra patrols in the area.

Chief Inspector Judith Common said: "Over recent weeks there has been an increase in both covert and high visibility patrols through Operation Hunter, which led to a big reduction in offences in the area - a trend we intend to continue."