POLICE have hailed their latest operation against burglary as a great success claiming it has cut crime figures in half.

Operation Zest 2 has been taking place across the whole Western Division, including Epping Forest, since June 29 with over 600 vehicles stopped and 16 people arrested for a range of offences from drink-driving, to fraud, and theft.

Two cars stolen during house burglaries were recovered, and a further six seized for motoring offences while the burglary rate during the operation has dropped by 51 per cent.

The operation, which will continue over the summer months, has seen detectives join forces with road policing officers and involved visible officers and covert surveillance.

Western Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Tim Stokes said: "We want to ensure that criminals don't just travel into Essex from London so we implemented this operation to flush out and identify those who are intent on committing crime, especially burglary.

“Burglars cause misery to residents by causing damage to their homes and stealing their valuable possessions. This operation should send out a clear message to the criminal: we will not tolerate this or any crime happening in our division, we will continue to find you and we will bring you to justice.”