Redcar'S Christmas clampdown on shoplifters and vandals has been hailed as a success with more than 77 arrests made throughout the six-week purge.

Langbaugh Police's Operation Scrooge, which ran from December 1 to January 17, resulted in more than £1,000 of stolen property being recovered and 42 crimes detected.

A further 68 stop checks were carried out and six exclusion orders were served on persistent offenders.

The high-profile operation was established by police to provide assurances to shoppers and retailers that the problem of thieves and vandals coming to town would be dealt with.

Sergeant Nigel McCartney said: "This is a further example of police working closely with store security staff to ensure the public coming into Redcar feel safe in the knowledge that a successful shop watch scheme is in operation in the area."