A NUMBER of arrests have been made as part of a week-long operation to pressure persistent criminals operating in Darlington.

Officers working on Operation Relentless have charged a number of men and women who are now due to appear before magistrates over allegations of fraud, theft, assault and shoplifting.

Those summonsed to court include a 38-year-old woman charged with a racially aggravated public order order offence, a 29-year-old man charged with assault, a 25-year-old man charged with two counts of vehicle interference and a 43-year-old man charged with theft of a vehicle.

Five men, aged 17, 25, 27, 29, and 36, have also been arrested on suspicion of theft and released under investigation.

Further arrests have also involved an alleged attempted robbery, burglary and witness intimidation.

Anyone with intelligence on criminal activity in the Darlington borough can report it in confidence to Operation Relentless by calling 01325-742199.

All other incidents should be reported to 101 or 999.