POLICE officers are carrying out special patrols in Shildon in a bid to catch crooks damaging and stealing from cars.

More than a dozen police officers took part in an overnight patrol after vandals damaged a number of cars in recent weeks.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of going equipped to steal and a vehicle was also seized. The men were later released with no action taken against them.

Shildon police plan to run further night-time operations targeting car thieves and vandals.

Anyone who can help with police enquiries, or who sees anyone acting suspiciously, should call Shildon police on the non-emergency 101 number.