CALLERS have flooded police with an unprecedented number of tip-offs on the "rats" who plague York with crime.

In the 28 days since the launch of the Operation Ratcatcher winter crime crackdown, Crimestoppers' one-stop hotline, 0800 555111, has received 40 calls. Detectives running the service would normally expect to get just three or four calls from people in York over the same period.

The majority of tip-offs have focused on crime in York - mainly drug dealing - but some calls have been about crime elsewhere in the country, including one giving possible information on the so-called Trophy Rapist, being hunted by detectives in the south-east of England following a string of rapes.

All the information on criminals in York has been passed to the Crime Intelligence Unit at York police station, where it has helped to form intelligence dossiers.

Based on some of these "packages", Operation Ratcatcher teams carried out a string of raids in York on Friday, which saw 12 people arrested. Drugs and thousands of pounds worth of what were believed to be stolen goods were recovered in the raids.

On top of these arrests, more than 30 suspects are now under investigation by police as a result of tip-offs.

Of the 40 calls, 20 related to drug use and supply, two to rape, two to arson, one to threats to kill, seven to theft and handling stolen goods, two to burglary, four to drink-driving and two to traffic offences.

Detective Constable Hugh Carruthers, of Crimestoppers, said some of the calls referred to well-known "career criminals" .

He said: "The message to criminals is clear. You have nowhere to hide. The public of York do not accept your behaviour or actions and the police are becoming aware of, and will deal with, your criminal activities."

Between January and October, 42 suspects were arrested and charged with a range of offences in the York area following calls to Crimestoppers.

Operation Ratcatcher is a joint initiative by the Evening Press, North Yorkshire Police, Safer York Partnership and Crimestoppers.

The campaign uses the dedicated Crimestoppers number as the route for people to anonymously tip off the police.

Updated: 16:10 Wednesday, November 20, 2002