POLICE in Newton Aycliffe have urged people to secure their vehicles and keep valuables out of sight after a man was arrested for breaking into a van.

The 22-year-old man was one of two men seen running away from the scene of the crime on Dalton Way in the town during the early hours of Friday, January 10.

Tools worth around £300 were stolen from the Mercedes Sprinter van and have not yet been recovered.

Earlier this week, police officers returned to the area and delivered vehicle crime prevention leaflets to 150 households.

PCSO Chris Noble said: “Vehicle crime is one of the force’s biggest bugbears at the moment and we are finding many of the cars that are targeted are insecure.

“We are urging people to lock their cars and keep valuables out of sight.”