POLICE say a Christmas crackdown on shoplifters, pickpockets and bag-snatchers operating in the centre of Consett during the festive season proved a success.

Police increased the number of foot patrols, by local beat and community support officers led by PC Ruth Taylor, in the town centre from the middle of December in a bid to deter criminals who take advantage of extra crowds out Christmas shopping.

The campaign was prompted by three purse-snatches that happened in quick succession in the town and led police to urge people, particularly the elderly, to take extra care to protect their belongings.

During the period of the campaign, there were no purse-snatches and only one reported incident of shoplifting, which resulted in two people being arrested and charged.

Inspector Andy McConnell, of Consett police, said: "We are extremely pleased by the success of the patrols and the peace of mind that it provided to both shoppers and shopkeepers.

"This is something we will be repeating at different times of the year to deter would-be thieves.

"You can't get better than that, having no purse-snatches and only one offence of shoplifting, for which people were arrested, in a two-week period. It is quite remarkable.''

He added that there were 44 offences of theft in December 2004, including seven for shoplifting, when a similar campaign was run by police.

"We have managed to keep shoplifting quite well in check over the last couple of years, although we have had a couple of months where it went up.

"Purse-snatchers generally target older people. Although they may not carry much in the way of money, the offence can cause a lot of distress, the distress that someone has been in their bag.''

He said that there had been few reported thefts of bags or mobile phones left unattended by revellers visiting the town's nightspots during the festive season.

Insp McConnell advised people to attach a cat bell to their purse, so that there would be an audible warning if it was removed.

"It might mean the purse doesn't get stolen, or the thief drops it because it makes a noise. It is quite an easy and cheap thing."