POLICE today (Sunday, May 22) launched "Operation Scarecrow" to clamp down on allotment thefts following a spate of on Teesside.

Stockton and Billingham alone have seen twelve burglaries in allotments in just five months.

Police officers, and police cadets, were handing out free padlock alarms, and crime prevention advice, to allotment holders today.

Temporary Inspector Chris Stoddart, from Thornaby Neighbourhood Policing Team, who is leading the operation, said: “Theft, burglary and criminal damage are continuing problems at allotments and our assistance in handing out free padlocks and alarms gives officers and cadets the opportunity to improve awareness amongst allotment holders of the vulnerabilities the allotment sites have.”

Allotment holders at Oxbridge Lane in Stockton and Cowpen Lane in Billingham were benefiting

The allotment sites will be Oxbridge Lane Allotments in Stockton and Cowpen Lane Allotments in Billingham.

Barry Coppinger, Cleveland's Police and Crime Commissioner, was on hand to help.

He said: “This operation is a fantastic way for Cleveland Police Cadets and neighbourhood officers to get involved with the local community and it highlights what a valuable contribution these youngsters can make whilst working alongside local police teams to tackle crime and promote crime prevention.

“I am always pleased to get involved and to support these operations wherever possible.”