Michael Fuller became Kent's chief constable at the start of January

Michael Fuller, who joined the force at the start of 2004, wants to turn the tables on burglars with a campaign of arrest warrants and raids.

Operation Castle is due to last six weeks until the end of March.

Among the measures planned are extra resources for DNA and fingerprint evidence and increased policing in communities where burglars are active.

By the end of this operation we want it to be the criminals who are having the sleepless nights listening for people outside their homes Chief Superintendent Gary Beautridge

The operation will see each policing unit put resources into catching and deterring burglars with handlers of stolen goods also targeted.

Residents will also be encouraged to protect their houses with crime prevention advice offered throughout the county.

Elderly people who become the victim of distraction burglaries where thieves bluff their way into homes will be able to look through suspects on a lap-top computer with hours of the crime being reported.

Chief Superintendent Gary Beautridge, spearheading the campaign, said: "If you attempt to burgle a house we will be using all our resources to track you down.

"By the end of this operation we want it to be the criminals who are having the sleepless nights listening for people outside their homes."

The operation runs from 14 February until 31 March. and is being launched on Thursday.