Criminals targeted in police operation

Operation Bullseye aims to curb the illegal activities of regular offenders in Derwentside during the run-up to Christmas.

Detective Sergeant Paul D'eath, former head of the division's successful and now-disbanded divisional response unit, will lead a team of officers in a week-long crackdown.

Traditionally, the county-wide initiative has focused on career criminals.

But, for the first time this year, the Derwentside team will be looking at the wider issues of drug use and anti-social behaviour.

Det Sgt D'eath said: "It is very much a concentrated effort, targeting not just the criminal fraternity, but drug use in Consett and Stanley and under-age purchasing of alcohol.

"These are issues that affect people's quality of life in a big way, right across the district. By diversifying, being more creative and inventive, we aim to make the festive season more enjoyable for residents."

The unit will look at drug use in Consett and Stanley town centres, along with alcohol misuse by youths at hot spots across the district.

Increased patrols by uniformed officers will support the initiative.

Det Sgt D'eath said the operation would not mean that eyes would be turned away from the traditional targets.

He said: "We will be looking at the people such as the drug dealers and burglars we believe are active at the moment and will target them with intelligence-led operations.

"We have run this operation for a number of years and it has always proved to be a success.

"We have thrown a lot of resources behind it this year, in terms of staff and specialist units.

"The legwork has been done and we are ready to go."

Operation Bullseye officers will be in action from Monday morning until Sunday night.

Last December, the three-week operation across the county resulted in 119 arrests.

Officers recovered stolen property valued at £154,000, and drugs, including cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, amphetamine and cannabis, with a street value of about £135,000.