MORE crime blitzes are planned for the year to tackle anti-social behaviour in Richmond upon Thames following successful Cleansweeps in 2003.

The campaign will tackle crime and target anti-social behaviour, graffiti and truancy.

A series of intensive 24-hour anti-crime blitzes are planned throughout 2004, the first to be held in Twickenham and St Margarets on Friday March 26.

The aim is to provide a reassuring uniformed presence on local streets to help combat crime and the fear of it.

The operation will involve officers from Richmond police, various council departments and the fire brigade.

It is being spearheaded by the local Community Safety Partnership (CSP), an alliance between the council, the Metropolitan Police, the Richmond Housing Partnership and a number of other agencies.

Cllr Tony Arbour, Richmond council leader and the cabinet member for combating crime, said: "2003 was a very successful year for the Cleansweep campaign and we are planning more of the same. In total we carried out nine blitzes last year and a total of 31 arrests were made.

"We also rolled out the operations beyond Richmond and Twickenham town centres for the first time and we look forward to building on this success.

"These intensive operations are designed to tackle the problems on the ground and have been well received by local residents and businesses.

"They are an important and highly visible example of the continuing work that is going on locally to tackle and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in line with the safe streets aspect of our Civic Pride strategy."