MORE than 100 people have now been arrested across north and east Suffolk in a bid to crackdown on persistent offenders.The ongoing Operation Endurance campaign, aimed at people who commit the most crime and cause misery to residents, has seen 103 arrests since its launch in January.

MORE than 100 people have now been arrested across north and east Suffolk in a bid to crackdown on persistent offenders.

The ongoing Operation Endurance campaign, aimed at people who commit the most crime and cause misery to residents, has seen 103 arrests since its launch in January.

Officers in the county's eastern area – which covers the Lowestoft, Beccles, Leiston, Woodbridge and Felixstowe policing sectors – drew up a list of the most prolific offenders.

They used criteria including previous convictions, arrests and intelligence reports connected to crime and police are working with other criminal justice agencies to target those individuals.

Home Office research suggests that, at any one time, 10% of offenders will be committing half of all serious crime.

Those dealt with recently under Operation Endurance include:-

n A 22-year-old Bungay man charged with driving while disqualified and sentenced to four months' imprisonment.

n A 13-year-old boy from Lowestoft arrested on suspicion of burglary and taking a motor vehicle without consent.

n An 18-year-old man from Halesworth arrested on suspicion of assault.

n A 17-year-old man from Felixstowe arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

n Two Felixstowe men – one 20, the other 30 – charged with theft.

n A 27-year-old man from Rendlesham charged with disqualified driving.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Aves, of Suffolk police, said: "Arresting over 100 local persistent offenders in the first six months shows our commitment to tackle those who cause us the most problems.

"Operation Endurance is exactly the type of campaign that the Government is now seeking to introduce countrywide to tackle those identified persistent and prolific offenders.

"We have made an excellent start here in Suffolk and we intend to continue catching and convicting those that blight our communities."

He added: "My thanks go to the officers who have participated in making Operation Endurance a resounding success."