Just a few criminals are behind a stark rise in burglaries in one area of Sussex.

Latest police figures show burglaries have soared in the Lewes area, even though overall crime was down.

Break-ins in the area rose 35 per cent, despite a police crackdown.

It meant 39 more offences but police are convinced only a small number of offenders are responsible and each burglar is behind a string of offences.

Inspector Dave Padwick said: "On December 27, a member of the public tipped us off about two teenagers acting suspiciously in their street. As a result, officers found the pair in a property and arrested them for burglary. They have been bailed pending further inquiries."

Overall, the police blitz resulted in more arrests, more charges and fewer crimes reported.

Fourteen officers arrested 11 people for a number of offences on December 20. Six were taken in for possessing drugs with intent to supply and five were suspected of theft. The following day saw three arrests for drink-driving and drug-related offences.

During the weekend of December 20 to 22 there were no reports of street violence and police put the success down to high-visibility policing.

Mr Padwick said: "Throughout December, Lewes officers arrested 30 people. That is a terrific record considering crime is on the decrease in the town."

Total crime in the area, which includes Ringmer, Newick and the surrounding parishes, was down eight per cent between April and November last year.

Mr Padwick said: "The news means there were 117 fewer victims of crime based on the same period in the previous year. That's a massive step forward.

"Our new style, with its emphasis on front line policing, seems to be paying dividends in Lewes."

The figures for April to November include: Criminal damage down seven per cent, shoplifting down 39 per cent, public place violence down 11 per cent and vehicle crime down 23 per cent.

Mr Padwick said the efforts of neighbourhood policing team was paying dividends: "In the last week there have been no reports of theft from motor vehicles and there were no domestic burglaries.

"We have had some successes but there is still more to be done to make Lewes an even safer place. In other words, we are not resting on our laurels in the fight against crime."