A POLICE crackdown on highly organised car criminals in West Yorkshire has already seen the recovery of more than £1m worth of vehicles.

More than 300 police officers have begun three days of raids - the culmination of a major operation focusing on so-called Hanoi-style burglaries.

These are break-ins with the specific intention of taking car keys.

West Yorkshire Police say about 286 Hanoi-style burglaries were taking place in the force's area each month at the beginning of last year.

Now, the figure is 104.

In the current operation, officers intend to search up to 100 addresses, targeting 50 individuals.

A spokeswoman said it marked the culmination of a year-long operation focusing on the problem.

The operation has included police being `embedded' in the car trade.

Det Chief Supt Howard Crowther said officers had been able to buy almost new luxury cars for just hundreds of pounds.

He said: "It's an industry, but it is an industry which is about to be ripped apart."

He added that there were strong links between this organised car crime and the trade in Class A drugs.