Crime hotspots in Eastbourne are the target of a police operation launched this week.

Operation Thunderbird got under way yesterday with the aim of reducing burglary, violence and vehicle crime in the town.

Particular attention is being paid to the Devonshire and Meads areas which are regular targets for this type of crime.

Chief Inspector Martin Stevens, leading the operation, said: "Operation Thunderbird will provide a focused joint agency and intelligence-led operation aimed at achieving substantial reductions in overall crime and anti-social behaviour."

Teams of officers will carry out high visibility patrols working alongside staff from the benefit agencies, Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, the Crime Reduction Partnership, Immigration Services and other agencies.

Drug-related crime is also high on the list of priorities.

Chief Inspector Stevens said: "My aim is to get all the agencies working together and sharing information so that criminals in these areas feel the heat is on.

" I want to create a "them and us" culture, the criminals verses the greater, law-abiding community.

"Eastbourne remains a relatively low crime area. Last year we saw a crime reduction in the borough of 3.4 per cent.

"Operation Thunderbird aims to build on this, focusing our attention in the areas that matter."

This latest crackdown follows Operation Resolve which was carried out last week and was aimed at reducing burglaries.

Sussex Police figures for Eastbourne, Lewes and Wealden, show 57 people were arrested and questioned during the operation, with 42 charged with burglary and other offences.