TWO crime-fighting initiatives have been launched to make sure the festive period stays merry for residents of Sedgefield.

The schemes aim to tackle car crime across the district and anti-social behaviour and shoplifting in a town centre - both of which tend to rise at this time of year.

Operation Hawkeye - launched by Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership and Durham Police - aims to combat theft of valuables from vehicles.

Neighbourhood wardens and police officers patrolling the borough will be on the lookout for valuables left unattended and on show in parked cars.

Vehicle registration details will be taken and the partnership will contact owners to give them security advice.

In recent months, the partnership has recorded an increase in mobile phones, handbags, laptops, music systems and satellite navigation kits being stolen from vehicles.

Christmas shoppers are also reminded not to leave their shopping bags and gifts on display in cars.

Crime prevention officer PC Peter Maddison, who is leading the initiative, said: "A minute spent removing valuables from your vehicle may prevent a ruined Christmas. Lock them in the boot or remove them altogether."

In Newton Aycliffe, extra police have been drafted in to increase foot patrols around the town centre and shopping areas, and neighbourhood wardens will be supporting the campaign.

It is hoped the extra police visibility will discourage offending, help visitors feel safe and enable officers to share crime prevention advise with the public.

Beat officer PC Helen Young said: "From Monday, then throughout the Christmas period, we will repeating an operation that has been successful in previous years.

"This is mainly because of an increase in shoplifting over the Christmas period. When people are laden down with bags of gifts, they need to remember to be careful.

"We also want to discourage groups of youths from causing bother."

Town centre manager Bryan Haldane added: "We're going to close off access to an office block at the end of Dalton Way, which is to be demolished, to prevent further vandalism and breaking in.

"We want the area to be pleasant over Christmas and certainly don't want anyone hurt."