Oceania nets

Hot-spot car parks popular with thieves in Durham and Chester-le-Street, are being targeted as part of Operation Oceania.

Police are employing a series of crime-beating measures including setting traps to snare the offenders.

The operation is backed by a crime prevention campaign urging motorists to take more care over vehicle security.

Police are delighted with the success of Operation Oceania, which is aimed at problem areas such as The Riverside, in Chester-le-Street, and New College Durham's car parks in Framwellgate Moor and Nevilles Cross.

Figures show there were 446 thefts from vehicles in Durham and Chester-le-Street between April and September this year, compared with 619 in the same period last year.

The number of vehicles stolen or taken without consent between April and September this year was 314, compared with 456 last year.

Detective Inspector Andy Reddick, of Durham City CID, said: "The message going out to criminals is that we have dedicated officers who are looking for you.

"This is a big drive and if you are committing offences there is every chance you will be caught.

"The operation has been a big success. Not only are we reducing car crime, but we are increasing our detection rate."

A number of suspected thieves were arrested after being duped into attempting to steal lure cars left at known trouble-spots.

Det Insp Reddick added: "We are putting cars into car parks, which we know from crime pattern analysis are the type of vehicles which attract criminals.

"We then make observations in those car parks and we have made a number of arrests of people attempting to get into the car or other cars nearby."

Drivers who leave valuables such as handbags and mobile phones on display in parked cars are still proving a headache for police.

Officers will be noting the registration numbers of vehicles where possessions are on show.

Letters will then be sent to owners advising them of the importance of car security