A police operation that resulted in the arrests of more than 40 people will spell good news for students.

Police in Cardiff arrested more than 40 people over a 24-hour period between midnight on Wednesday May 27 and midnight on Thursday May 28.

South Wales Police launched the intelligence-led and forensic-backed Operation Jaguar to arrest as many criminals as possible.

Police Liason officer for the University, Bob Koehane, said that the arrests of these criminals will be especially beneficial to students as it is the areas and houses in which students live, including Cathays which is the “busiest place in Cardiff for burglaries,” and is particularly targeted by thieves.

He said: “While these people are in custody and going before courts we will hopefully quickly see a reduction in crime against students.”

Chief Inspector Marc Lewis, who led Thursday’s day of action, described it as a great success: “I firmly believe that these arrests will have a significant impact on the city in reducing crimes such as robbery and burglary.

“I hope this will reassure the community that officers are out on the streets being proactive and arresting criminals in order to keep Cardiff safe.”

The majority of those arrested committed offences such as burglary, car theft and drug offences – including that of a 53-year-old man from Butetown who was arrested and charged with supplying cannabis after CID detectives from Fairwater noticed suspicious activity in Bute Street.

A 20-year-old man was also arrested by Rumney CID and charged with robbery, two house burglaries and stealing from two vehicles.

A further 38 arrests took place for a variety of offences including criminal damage, death by dangerous driving, going equipped for burglary, shoplifting and failing to appear at court.

Others arrested included a 19-year-old man from Cathays was charged with theft by after being photographed breaking into a police capture car, and a 20-year-old man who was charged with robbery, two house burglaries and stealing from two vehicles.

CI Lewis added: “It was particularly pleasing that we succeeded in arresting one of Cardiff’s most prolific car criminals from Cathays after he broke into one of our capture cars. “