A new operation aimed at combating burglaries in Kenilworth has been launched, following a spike in crimes across the town.

Speaking at yesterday's (February 5) Community Forum, PCSO Craig Ricardo told locals 'Operation Castle' was putting police around the town from 8pm to 4am to help curb a rise in burglaries.

He said January had been particularly bad for break ins, following a December that was marred by shoplifting.

"We have had a bad January; January has been bad for burglaries," he explained. 

"We had a big spike in shoplifting before Christmas, and we have had burglaries afterwards.

"It is definitely a big trend, people buy lots of things at Christmas to set them up for the year and these criminals, they are clever. 

"They know exactly what they are doing. This is what we are up against."

The initiative, which is coordinated by Kenilworth Safer Neighbourhood Team, uses marked and unmarked police vehicles to make sure there is a "heavy presence" of police officers in the area.

PCSO Ricardo also said the initiative had started well, with a car containing four men from Shirley stopped at 2am on the second night of the operation. The SNT report presented to the forum said it is "strongly suspected" these men were "the ones responsible for most of the offences".

During his update, he also urged locals to report all crimes, saying the police need help from the community.

He encouraged locals to buy timers for lights when they go away, and install doorbells with cameras.

"It is one of my worst jobs to go round to houses that have been burgled," he explained. 

"You see the house has been tipped upside down, and you see how upset the residents are. 

"I have then got to stand there and give security advice because 99 times out of 100, if they have gone away, they haven't prepared themselves. 

"It is a cruel world we are in."

Although he added: "This is Kenilworth. The stats show it's not the Bronx - we are good. 

"And I am pleased and proud to police in Kenilworth."