The final tally in the first of Operation Guardian's "impact days" showed there were 41 warrants executed, 19 arrests, one immediate recall to prison and the discovery of two cannabis factories.

More than 100 officers were involved in the crackdown, which took place as part of a drive to stamp out serious crime such as burglaries, robberies and car break-ins.

Det Chief Insp Jan Meagher, the senior investigating officer who led Thurday's warrants operation, said the raids were the first of many planned for the county to crack down on "middle men" and dealers in stolen goods.

She urged anyone with information about dodgy dealing to come forward to police and said: "This is the first of several planned impact days around those who commit serious acquisitive crime like robbery, house burglary and vehicle crime.

"The raids were planned as part of an intelligence-led operation, following information received by police officers and also members of the public.

"This sharing of intelligence is key to the success of the operation and I urge everyone to continue to give us information, which we have demonstrated that we will act on."

Addresses in Northampton, Daventry, Wellingborough and Kettering were all raided.

Among the items seized were quantities of cannabis and Class A drugs, as well as electrical goods.

As much as £4,000 in cash seized from suspected criminals could now be ploughed back into fighting crime in Northamptonshire under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Meanwhile, two men were arrested in Long Buckby in connection with the theft of livestock, cannabis production and handling stolen goods.

A 44-year-old was bailed, while a 22-year-old was released without charge.

New targets outlined by Chief Constable Adrian Lee last month aim to cut acquisitive crime by 16 per cent by March.

If the targets were achieved, they would cut burglaries, robberies and car crime by more than 2,000 year-on-year, and ensure at least one-in-four offenders who committed serious violent crimes were brought to justice.

Assistant Chief Constable Martin Jelley, Operation Guardian commander, said: "I am very enthusiastic about the operation, which will gain further momentum over coming weeks.

"We have a target to reduce serious acquisitive crime by 16 per cent by the end of March 2010 and the energy and desire coming from staff to make this difference is high."