A CRIME-fighting operation by police and volunteers was hailed a success yesterday after six arrests.

Members of the Farmwatch scheme joined police to keep a watch on rural roads around Barnard Castle, for two nights.

Two volunteers were keeping watch close to the village of Woodland when they suspected a crime was being committed.

Police were called and six men were arrested as they were leaving the village.

Some members of the group have been charged with offences and others have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Sergeant Bill Dutton, who helped to arrange the operation, said: "This is a fine example of the neighbourhood policing team addressing the concerns of the rural community, and working with residents to solve the problems, making the community a better place in which to live.

"This is probably the best example of how Farmwatch can assist the police to make arrests, providing timely and accurate information on which the police can act on immediately."

He said the tactic of using rural community volunteers to provide extra eyes and ears for the police was one of several efforts by the force to combat crime in the Barnard Castle area.