Hundreds have been arrested as police launch a seasonal crackdown on burglars, thieves, bail absconders and other criminals.

A total of 1,295 people have been arrested since 1 December, with 760 of those charged in one of the toughest onslaughts by officers across the county.

Many of those arrested will now be spending Christmas behind bars.

The arrests are a result of a number of co-ordinated operations and days of action across the county on top of everyday patrol work.

Police patrolling Kent's roads targeting drink and drug drivers had arrested 119 people up until Monday, with some losing their licences the same day through the virtual courts.

A further 323 people were arrested for theft and handling of stolen goods - 197 of these were for shoplifting.

And 121 arrests were made in relation to burglaries, with a staggering 699 arrests made for violent crimes.

A further 33 arrests were made in the first two weeks of December by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

Deputy Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said: "I sent out a tough message a couple of weeks ago that if you commit crime in Kent you will pay the price, and we can see from the numbers who've been arrested and charged, there are many criminals who will be facing court and the prospect of Christmas behind bars this year.

"I've told my officers to be relentless in their pursuit of criminals and criminal activity and they will carry on doing just that all over the festive season.

"Kent is one of the safest places in the country and we are determined it stays that way."