FESTIVE crime crackdowns in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale could prove to be a real turkey for offenders.

Suspects could see their homes raided as part of Operation Saturate, which will run throughout December and January.

Operation Saturate has already seen drug dealer Leighton Foster, 21, jailed after he was caught with a £7,000 stash of the date rape drug GHB.

Det Insp Martin Melvin, head of Burnley CID, confirmed he would be using sniffer dogs, tactical officers and neighbourhood police to target drug dealers, burglars and car thieves.

He added: “This Christmas we will be visiting people suspected of committing burglary and car crime among other offences.

"I hope this action reassures people and demonstrates that the police are committed to reducing crime even further.

“Criminals should be under no illusions. If they are committing crime, they may face Christmas behind bars.”

Travelling criminals will also be pinpointed in Pendle and Rossendale, with warnings being issued to cross-border troublemakers from Greater Manchester and Yorkshire.

Extra patrols will also be carried out by officers in town centres like Nelson, Colne, Rawenstall, Bacup and Haslingden, throughout the festive period.

And test purchasing operations will be conducted on stores and off licences in a bid to curb under-age drinking.

Chief Inspector Ian Sewart, who heads Rossendale division, said: “We will be actively targeting criminals and executing warrants to remind those who steal and handle stolen property that we will do all we can to disrupt their Christmas.

For all those people wanting a carefree Christmas, my officers will be working 24/7 in order to make the festive period a safe and enjoyable time for everyone.”