POLICE have arrested four people in connection with more than a hundred burglaries across Cheshire that blighted Northwich and Winsford.

Police believe the individuals, all from Manchester, are responsible for a dramatic rise in home burglaries between October 2013 and December 31 2013.

Search-trained officers are currently carrying out detailed inspections of a number of addresses in Failsworth, Cheetham Hill and Salford.

Detective chief inspector Paul Williams said: “The public should feel reassured by these arrests today and I hope it reinforces to them the work we have been doing to catch the people responsible for spreading such misery across Cheshire.

“For such a high number of burglaries to happen in such a short space of time is very unusual and to me shows the arrogance of the criminals responsible, thinking that they would not be caught.

“Detectives across the constabulary have been working tirelessly over the last few months to gather the intelligence and evidence we needed to strike today.

“It was without doubt a number one priority for the constabulary to stop these burglaries and we used a number of tactics and resources as part of our investigation.”

A 57-year-old woman was arrested at an address in Cheetham Hill, a 31-year-old man was arrested at an address in Salford, and a 56-year-old man from Failsworth was arrested in Manchester city centre.

A 50-year-old man has been produced from prison. All four have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary and have been taken to custody suites in Cheshire.

The arrests follow a dramatic increase in that started in the west of the county, but quickly started to spread to the north and east.

Detectives linked the crimes, believing the same people to be responsible.

Operation Edendale was launched, leading to today’s arrests.

DCI Williams added: “Burglary has such a devastating impact on people′s lives and I hope these arrests send out a strong message that Cheshire Police takes crimes such as this very seriously and we will put all our resources into catching the people responsible.

“Cheshire Police is continuing to urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

“This particular spate of burglaries appears to have ended on New Year′s Eve, however there will always be opportunistic thieves who will take a chance if they see an open window or door.

Anyone with any information about suspicious activity can contact police on 101.”

Break down by town of the burglaries thought to be linked to today’s arrests: Chester – 24.

Winsford – 4.

Western Rural – 29.

Western rural total breakdown into villages: Tarvin – 7.

Frodsham – 2.

Mickle Trafford – 5.

Guilden Sutton – 2.

Cuddington – 5.

Kelsall – 5.

Tarporley – 2.

Helsby – 1.

Northwich – 18.

North − 21 burglaries in total: Grappenhall – 9.

Thelwall – 8.

Lymm – 2.

Stockton Heath – 2.

East − 4 burglaries in total.