Burglaries fell by 24% from the figures of a year earlier

Operation Castle ran between 1 November and New Year's Eve, in which time 831 arrests were made.

The number of burglary offences during the two months dropped by 24% from the figures for the same period in 2003.

Police said the operation had unearthed leads which could lead to more arrests in 2005 and said it showed they were working hard to keep Kent a safe place.

'Very robust'

The fall in burglary offences during November and December saw 1,060 committed in comparison with 1,393 in the same two months a year earlier.

Kent Police said 618 offences had been dealt with, and "a significant number of offenders" remanded in custody and therefore not able to commit more crimes.

They said the force had been "very robust" in targeting burglars known to be committing offences to fund a drug habit.

Ch Supt Gary Beautridge said: "Many of the offenders we have dealt with are now serving custodial sentences which means a significant proportion of 'lifestyle' criminals are now out of action and will be so for some time."