DURHAM Police and partners their partners completed a nine-day programme of co-ordinated strikes and community engagement across the Peterlee area.

The work, under the brand of Operation Relentless, is a multi-agency initiative aimed at tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and providing community reassurance.

Crimes that have been targeted include burglary, cannabis cultivation, handling of stolen goods and drug misuse. Magistrates search warrants have been conducted and criminality disrupted across the area.

County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service, Durham County Council, and Durham Agency Against Crime worked alongside the police force.

Inspector Lee Blakelock, of Peterlee Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Through meeting with residents both out in the community and at our regular PACT meetings, we’ve been able to identify some key concerns that people in the Peterlee area have.

“With Operation Relentless, we’re putting a spotlight on those concerns and showing the public that we are listening, and we are doing what we can to put an end to activities that are a detriment to quality of life in the area.”

As a result of the operation, six magistrates search warrants have been carried out, seven people have been arrested for failing to appear in court, and one man was arrested for being unlawfully at large.

Twelve vehicles were seized, including three quad bikes and several off-road bikes.

Eleven young people brought to places of safety, referrals put in place for safeguarding, and of alcohol being seized.

Insp Blakelock said: “These events are a key component not just of Operation Relentless, but of policing in Durham as a whole.”

Community events were held throughout the week, along multi-agency walkabouts in Thornley, Wingate, Wheatley Hill, Trimdon Station and Shotton Colliery.

Led by Durham Agency Against Crime, two leaflet drops were made by Volunteer Police Cadets, and five community speed watches were carried out by the Mini Police, an initiative which aims to involve 9 to 11 year-olds in tackling community issues in a safe and engaging manner.