'Relentless' crime fight returns

A major police crackdown on violent crime and anti-social behaviour is to return to Derbyshire.

Police made 700 arrests during Operation Relentless which was carried out in May and June. It cost the force and local authorities £150,000.

During the scheme burglaries fell by 12% and criminal damage by 19%.

The force said it would be increasing patrols particularly in town centres. The new project will run between 1 October and 18 November.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Goodman said: "Our analysis shows that typically there is an increase in recorded crime around the period of October and November so we've specifically picked this period to run a second phase of Relentless.

"Nights are getting darker and we also have factors such as Halloween and fireworks which can often lead to some members of our local communities feeling more vulnerable."