'Discreet' cars to tackle crime

Four extra unmarked police cars are to be used in Durham to visit non-urgent crime scenes "more discreetly."

The three-month Durham Police trial will be launched from September in Peterlee, Seaham and Darlington.

If it is successful it will be introduced force-wide and will involve 36 officers and a fleet of 12 cars.

The force deals with 70,000 call-outs a year. Assistant Chief Constable Mike Barton said: "The public don't always want blue lights and screeching tyres."

Each vehicle will be manned seven days a week by plain-clothed officers.

ACC Barton added: "The public want a service delivered in a calm and rational way without being made to feel second best."