A POLICE operation is being hailed a major success after netting 180 arrests in seven weeks.

Operation Tribune has targeted known and persistent offenders committing vehicle crime and shed and garage break-ins.

As a result, crime in Darlington and south Durham has fallen eight per cent in two weeks.

Shed and garage burglaries in the area have dropped by 27 per cent and thefts from vehicles has fallen by 25 per cent. Criminal damage to vehicles has also dropped.

A large proportion of the drop in crime can be attributed to Operation Tribune, which has focused on Darlington.

The team is co-ordinated by Detective Sergeant Geoff Makepeace, who said: "We are taking known offenders out consistently and persistently, and they are running scared."

Operation Tribute uses proactive tactics, including surveillance, police sources and information from the public. The other officers in the team are Det Con Danny Townsend, Det Con Graham Low, PC Andy Nimmo and PC Mick Woolston.

Det Sgt Makepeace said: "We are always changing our tactics to be out at the right time. We know the people who are committing these offences and try to get them for anything, even driving while disqualified. The idea is to pull them down when we can."

The team has recovered a large quantity of stolen property, including jewellery, pedal bikes and items stolen from garden sheds. They have also found cocaine, ecstasy tablets, weapons and CS gas canisters.

Det Sgt Makepeace said there were fewer than 50 known persistent offenders in the town.

Detective Chief Inspector Ted Edgar, crime manager for south Durham, said: "Operation Tribune has yielded some very positive results, it will remain ongoing to target specific offenders to try to reduce crime in Darlington."

Anyone with information that may help Operation Tribune is asked to contact Det Sgt Makepeace on 0845-606 0365