CROOKS are looking for rich pickings among rubbish put out by a town's residents for disposal collection.

Hundreds of bin bags have been slashed across Middlesbrough by criminals rooting in residents' refuse for bank account details.

The latest neighbourhood to be visited by the bag slashers is North Ormesby.

In a bid to protect people's savings, hundreds of electrical shredders are being distributed by Middlesbrough Council at nominal cost.

To date, more than 300 shredding machines have been distributed by the council, each for just £5.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, executive member for community safety and leisure with Middlesbrough Council, said: "We have found this action deters the criminals that slash bags looking for documents that can be used to commit fraud.

"I cannot over-emphasise the importance of people shredding their utility bills, bank statements and all documents that contain personal details to prevent identity theft, and also warn people to keep their rubbish within their own premises until the day of collection.''