A crimebusting squad of officers set up to tackle robberies and street crime in Middlesbrough has had an impact on crime levels.

Latest figures show a fall of more than 40 per cent in the first four months that the seven-strong team has been operating.

Between February and May last year, there were 319 robberies recorded in Middlesbrough, dropping to 188 offences in the same period this year.

The unit targets known offenders through intelligence-led policing, with officers researching and investigating reports of all robberies.

Detective Sergeant Keith Dee, of the robbery squad, said: "I believe our success is because we are successfully targeting the criminals committing these types of offences.

"The individuals or gangs responsible for offences that have such a dramatic impact on the quality of life of decent and law abiding people in Middlesbrough cannot go unpunished, and we will be relentless in our pursuit of these criminals."

Another successful tactic has been to make sure all reports of robbery are genuine.

Det Sgt Dee said: "Sometimes malicious reports of robbery are made to police, and these are initially recorded as a crime.

"However, after thorough investigation we have been able to prove these offences have not taken place and we have charged people who have done this with perverting the course of justice."