POLICE are hailing a massive crackdown on crime a success, with a 50 per cent reduction of burglaries in the Wythall and Rubery areas and 17 people arrested.

Operation Nova has seen a series of police activities, each involving 30 officers, carried out along the north Worcestershire/West Midlands border under the title Operation Nova.

The sixth and latest operation occurred on Monday and involved the use of the high-tech Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) van.

Sergeant Gary Watson explained: "As cars pass the van we are able to read their number plate."

"This is fed into police computer databases and tells us whether the car and its owners are wanted for any criminal offences. The equipment does not enforce speed limits.

The police have carried out six operations, on the A441 close to Hopwood services, at Egghill Lane, Frankly, the A435 by Inkford.

"The operation has been a great success with a reduction of 50 per cent of burglaries in Wythall and Rubery," said Sgt Watson.

Stopped people

"We have also stopped a number of people for a variety of offences, including a man wanted for armed robbery, theft and disqualified driving.

"On one occasion an offender drove at a motorcycle officer and then sped off.

" After a short pursuit the car was abandoned and a large quantity of stolen property from a burglary earlier that day was recovered."

Operation Nova is set to continue with more operations planned and Sgt Watson added, "We want to send a clear message to criminals that their actions will not be tolerated.

"Officers will be on the beat in and around hotspot areas of Wythall and Rubery in the coming weeks and more ANPR operations are being planned.

"We will also have officers working throughout certain nights targeting vehicle crime."