POLICE are using ground-breaking techniques to launch a pre-Christmas crackdown on known criminals.

Hundreds of front-line police, detectives and traffic officers in County Durham and Darlington will be involved in a three-week seasonal blitz on crime, code-named Bull's-eye.

The force will be using a revolutionary intelligence-gathering system known as the National Intelligence Model, which it is piloting for the rest of the country.

Last year, a similar initiative, under the same code-name, resulted in more than 300 arrests. This year police are not giving any indication about the type of crime or areas that have been identified.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Scott said: "We specifically don't want criminals to be aware they are being targeted, and for that reason we will not be publicly disclosing out intentions. However, we are confident Bull's-eye will enjoy the success of previous years."

The intelligence model police will be using was launched throughout the county in summer and helps police interpret and gather large amounts of data.

Ultimately it will allow Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland forces to share intelligence.

Det Chief Supt Scott said: "The intelligence produced by the system creates opportunities to refine crime-fighting tactics by targeting active offenders; examining linked crime; and identifying offending hot-spots. It is a critical tool which allows operational officers to focus on real problems and grip offenders in a far more effective manner."