POLICE mounted a week-long blitz on criminals resulting in almost 50 arrests.

Teams of bobbies were out around the clock to clamp down on Ellesmere Port's drugs offenders, burglars, thieves, illegal motorists, nuisance youths and drunken louts.

Community Action Team officers, the town's road policing unit, the automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) crew, teams of operational officers and even an armed response unit joined forces for the codenamed Operation Ancient.

Throughout the week 49 arrests for various alleged offences were made and 39 fixed penalty tickets for motoring offences issued.

Sergeant Anthony Cooke, who coordinated the operation, said: 'This type of operation should send a clear message to the criminal network that we are committed to stamping out crime and will do everything in our power to help the majority of lawabiding citizens feel safe and be safe.

'It was a great success, but we are not complacent and we'll continue to use the information we have to target the right people at the right time.'

Dawn raids launched the crime-cutting campaign when suspected criminals got a 6am wake-up call from boiler-suit clad officers kitted out with full protective gear.

Raids continued throughout the week along with pro-active enforcement of traffic laws by the road policing unit, searches for travelling criminals by the ANPR unit and targeted patrols of hotspot problem areas by bobbies on the beat.

Added Sgt Cooke: 'The initiative enabled us to target a whole host of offenders in a short space of time. The series of warrants we executed led to the arrest of suspected drugs offenders and suspects linked to crime scenes through DNA evidence.

'ANPR and road policing work caught disqualified and drink-drivers and evening patrols had a positive impact on the street.'

Apart from the arrests, an arsenal of weapons including four Samurai swords, a crossbow pistol, a high-powered catapult, an air-rifle and BB guns were found at one home along with a ski mask, a police scanner and blank insurance documents.

Just hours later, an insurance document similar to those found was produced at the police station. The person who handed it in has been helping police with their inquiries.

Another raid led to the discovery of a hand-grenade removed by the force's expert armed response vehicle unit after neighbouring homes were evacuated.

A number of people arrested during the week have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

On and off-licensed premises were also visited during the week-long campaign to ensure licensing rules are being adhered to. Anyone with information about crime should call 0151 355 4066 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.