Police have launched an initiative to help tackle the rising number of burglaries and robberies across three boroughs.

The East Area (EA) Command Unit, made up of officers from Havering, Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham, has seen a “three fold rise” in the number of burglaries and robberies taking place over the past eight months.

In a bid to tackle these crimes, the EA launched Operation Mexico on Tuesday, with the intension to “relentlessly pursue those intent on committing these offences”.

BCU commander Jason Gwillim said: “I’m really proud to announce Operation Mexico, I think this co-ordinated approach is going to present an increased opportunity to transfer the fear of crime back onto the offenders.

“By working alongside local authorities, police and the public, we will drive down the number of burglaries and robberies in the eastern area.”

As part of the operation, a dedicated unit of specialised officers will focus on burglaries and robberies committed in the three boroughs and the perpetrators that carry out these crimes.

This will coincide with the Met Police’s Be Safe crime prevention campaign that aims to encourage Londoners to reduce their vulnerability to crime.

As well as this, Met Police is in its third year of the MetTrace operation, where officers are providing Smart Water forensic property marking kits to homes that are most vulnerable to burglary in London.

So far, more than 280,000 kits have been distributed and burglary has fallen by 25pc in certain areas.

But officers are also asking for the public’s help in catching offenders by reporting anything suspicious.

Det Sup Neil Matthews said: “It is a very strong message we want to get out there to those who cause these problems, that we will find you.

“It is the age old thing of we need the public to help us do just this, so even if you think something is small and unimportant, please do let us know because it might help.”

A dedicated police number to the burglaries and robberies unit will be created but in the meantime, residents are being asked to call 999 if an incident is in progress, 101 or to give information anonymously, call 0800 555111.