MORE than 60 police vehicles were hitting the roads of West Yorkshire this weekend, targeting prolific criminals in an operation that has seen well over 500 arrests in its first year.

Bradford's most persistent villains are among those that have been arrested in the first 12 months of Operation Viper, which has seen a total of 540 arrests, 900 fewer burglaries and the recovery of 79 stolen vehicles.

Teams of officers are on patrol across West Yorkshire over the weekend to arrest criminals who use the county's road network to ferry stolen property from burglaries.

Marked and unmarked vehicles will be used, with more than double the normal number in use to target those actively involved in crime.

Superintendent Pat Casserly, who is leading the operation, said they were combating the rise in crime often seen at this time of year as criminals target the properties of returning students and homes full of gifts from Christmas.

He said: ‘‘Burglars see this as an opportune time of year, with dark evenings and homes with lovely new gifts and gadgets. Students are also returning to their properties, often with new smart phones, laptops and tablets. Burglars will target shared student homes as it increases their chance of stealing a large number of expensive electronic items in one burglary."

He said undercover officers would be sent into student areas on bikes to prevent burglary by identifying and arresting those intent on committing crime.

Supt Casserly called on students to help secure their rented properties.

He said: ‘‘While we've reduced burglary by more than 900 offences this year, students can help themselves by ensuring communal front doors are kept locked and if you're out at night leave a couple of lights on. It might sound simple but it can make a big difference.’’

Since the start of Viper, West Yorkshire Police has recorded its lowest ever burglary figures with a reduction of more than 12 per cent.

The weekend operation was supported by a team of Automatic Number Plate Recognition experts working from a specialist control room. The cameras, which can read number plates and are located across the county, enable officers to track vehicles suspected of being involved in criminality.

‘‘The use of ANPR technology has been a huge asset to police in recent years and has played a major role in our ability to track and recover 79 stolen vehicles since our first operation a year ago," said Supt Casserly.

‘‘While our ability to recover stolen vehicles has been improved I would urge people to do all they can to stop them being stolen in the first place. In the last week alone we've had a number of incidents of cars being stolen in what we call 'Hanoi burglaries'. This means that thieves have either broken into a home and taken the car keys in order to steal a vehicle or have managed to retrieve car keys by using a piece of wire through a letter-box and stealing keys which are often left close to main doors.

‘‘Leaving keys by doors is something we've all done, but I would urge people to keep them out of sight and where possible store them in a drawer or take them to bed with you.

‘‘It's important to remember this type of high intensity and focused operation is just one aspect of our day to day effort to combat burglary and target the county's most prolific criminals.

‘‘Our efforts are achieving results and my message to criminals is keep looking over your shoulder as we're coming for you."