Drop in crime after extra patrols

Crime in a Teesside town has fallen by more than a quarter after a month-long crackdown, police said.

Operation Scrooge was launched in Redcar by Cleveland Police to tackle shoplifting, thefts from cars and bag snatches.

The campaign began at the end of November when extra high-visibility patrols took to the streets.

Cleveland Police said the operation had been a success and crime had dropped by 28% over the festive period.

Insp Andrew Bright said: "We aimed to provide a high-visibility deterrent to those individuals intent on committing crime in Redcar town centre."