THERE has been a big breakthrough in the fight against burglars in Sussex.

Raids on crooks' homes, extra surveillance and more intelligence on prolific criminals has sent

detection figures rocketing and the number of break-ins plummeting.

The good news prompted Det Supt Jeremy Paine to issue a force-wide e-mail congratulating officers on their efforts and urging them to keep up the good work.

The turn-around

follows a dismal performance in 1998 and during the first part of this year.

The force recorded 1,350 detections last year, 350 short of its target, and the estimate for 1999 was even lower, 1,150, based on figures for the first six months.

But Det Supt Paine said: "Since September this year, thanks to officers' efforts, we have started to see a significant improvement in our performance, something over 60 per cent.

"In the past few weeks there have been some significant successes right across the force, including the arrest of burglary suspects and some prolific burglars who have admitted crimes to be taken into consideration at court and good forensic results.

"Importantly, burglaries on homes across the force have decreased by 10 per cent.

"To meet our targets now, and to prepare for the year ahead, we need to maintain and extend this improvement, particularly over the next few days, when many homes will be empty for the holidays.

"By sustaining our focus, I am confident we can achieve the 1,700 primary detection target, which will be a fantastic result for the force."

He added: "We have had far fewer burglary

victims in Sussex and more burglaries detected. Well done to all officers."

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