POLICE clamping down on muggers yesterday showed off a haul of stolen goods recovered during the high-profile operation.

The dragnet, codenamed Operation Cobra, targeted robbers who prey on vulnerable people throughout Hartlepool.

Officers have made a number of arrests across the town during the continuing operation, with some of the intelligence coming from hardened criminals, already known to the police, who are sickened by thugs preying on the vulnerable elderly.

While concentrating mainly on Hartlepool, officers there are also liaising with counterparts in Stockton after it emerged some of the stolen items were taken in the town.

Police recovered a large number of handbags and wallets during searches in the Burn Valley area of Hartlepool yesterday and are now keen to trace their owners.

With several distinctive designs among the handbags, including a Winnie the Pooh design and family photos in others, detectives are confident the rightful owners will come forward.

Detective Sergeant Tony Green said: "We are determined to stamp out street robberies and this is one in a line of major recent successes. We intend to bring all those responsible to justice."

A 27-year-old man was produced from prison yesterday to be charged with robbery following an incident in Leamington Parade on May 1.