Around 250 people have been arrested and 12 cars have been crushed in a three-month crackdown on crime and persistent offenders, police revealed today

And the PSNI in the North West today promised to intensify Operation Blitz, its clampdown on crime, over the course of 2009.

Over the three months of the campaign so far, 130 people on arrest warrants have been pulled in while another 120 have been re-arrested for breaking their bail bonds, the North West Telegraph has learned.

The PSNI in Foyle has knocked on 600 doors in the course of the operation and six of its top 10 targets are now in prison.

Operation Blitz is targeting the hard core of repeat offenders in the area as well as cracking down on anti-social behaviour and car crime.

Inspector John Burrows said: “In this latest phase of the operation we have pulled in 50 drivers for a number of offences ranging from speeding to being uninsured.

“Twelve vehicles belonging to drug dealers that had no tax have been crushed.

“The operation yesterday was primarily a crime operation that incorporated the DVLNI.

“This is all part of Operation Blitz that has been running for the last three months. We have been tasked with disrupting crime in the Foyle district and driving down criminals.

“People can expect to see police on the streets at any time of the day or night as we pursue our targets.

“Criminal behaviour and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Inspector Burrows said over the last three months his team has contacted more than 600 people on curfew as part of their bail conditions.

“I believe that is way above any other part of Northern Ireland – Bangor, Larne, even Belfast,” he said. “It’s very simple — if you're on bail you can expect a knock on the door, and if you're not home you can expect to go to jail.

“Our priority has been to arrest the prolific offenders and so far 130 people on outstanding warrants have been arrested and another 120 have been arrested for breaking bail.

“I cannot reiterate this enough: if you are on bail and you break the conditions of that bail you can expect to be put in jail.

“There is a perception among the public that there is a revolving door. Criminals out there are committing crimes, being arrested and are getting back out onto the street to commit more crimes.

“Well, there is no revolving door. Criminals who are arrested and get bail can expect us to set very stringent bail conditions.

“And if they are not in when they are supposed to be they will be back inside.

“The public should know we are targeting prolific persistent offenders. The majority of crime is committed by a minority of people.

“We have strategic offenders that we are committed to putting in prison. We had a top 10 of people we wanted and six of them are now kicking their heels in Maghaberry Prison.”

The targets for Operation Blitz were formed after discussions with the public.

The primary targets so far have been people on outstanding warrants, curfew checks, alcohol seizures and car crime.

Inspector Burrows said: “Untaxed cars are linked to dangerous driving, car crime and no insurance. Taking these cars — like the 12 we seized today — off the roads makes them safer.

“We have been going on to the estates and targeting street drinking. As a result we have confiscated over 2,000 items of alcohol from children and young people.”

An item of alcohol is whatever the underage drinker has on them at the time — a six pack of beer or a litre of Vodka.

Inspector Burrows added: "This is part of a common drive in Foyle to make it a safer place to live, work and socialise, and an uncomfortable place to be a criminal. We will not tolerate crime in any way, shape or form.

"Operation Blitz will continue throughout the year and will take many forms. The public wants us to tackle car crime, assaults, underage drinking, anti social behaviour and the small hard core of offenders who are responsible for most of the crime and we are responding.

"We are absolutely committed to driving crime down.”