Campaign targets known criminals

Cleveland Police have launched a high-profile crackdown on known criminals across Teesside.

The Operation Sabre initiative targets suspects on warrant and those who have been evading police for a long time.

The week-long campaign is aimed at reducing crime in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Redcar, as well as smaller communities.

Some of the issues being targeted include vehicle crime, drug crime and precious metal theft.

Ch Insp Clive Pengilley said: "This operation is to show our determination to deal with those who we suspect are involved in crime.

"We arrest suspects everyday but the people who we are targeting this week may be wanted on warrant or have been evading the police for some time.

"Our aim is to reassure the public that we are committed to putting people first in tackling local crime trends and in acting on information we receive from them."

Anyone with information about criminal activity should contact Cleveland Police or Crimestoppers.