AN initiative to beat identity thieves who rake through bin bags to gather personal details is in line for an award.

Middlesbrough Council has distributed hundreds of low-cost document shredders to people living in areas of the town targeted by the bag slashers.

The maze of alleyways behind Middlesbrough's terraced streets are the hunting ground for gangs of scavengers searching through rubbish for bank statements or anything with a name and address that can be used to steal someone's identity - and savings.

The shredders scheme has made the shortlist for this year's International Green Apple Environment Awards.

In their 11th year, the awards are well established as the biggest and most extensive scheme of its kind in the country.

They are run by the Green Organisation, an independent, non-activist and non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.

National organiser Roger Wolens said: "It is a tremendous achievement to get on the shortlist, because the competition gets tougher and more fierce every year. Contenders are continually reaching new levels of environmental success and this campaign helps and encourages others to follow their good example, with the aim of improving our environment for generations to come."

News that Middlesbrough is on the shortlist follows a breakthrough by council enforcement officers, who, working undercover, have confronted a leading member of a bags-slashing gang and told him they are on to him and the gang.

Dr Anthony Luke, who heads the enforcement team, said : "I am delighted to make the shortlist for the awards, naturally, but I am most pleased with the take-up of the shredders by residents, because more shredders mean less opportunity for bag- slashers and identity thieves to prey on vulnerable people.

"If we actually win a Green Apple Award, it will be recognition of the efforts made by everyone in the town to reduce crime and make Middlesbrough a cleaner, tidier, safer and better place to be."