An arrest has been made after a man was captured on CCTV as he appeared to follow a lone woman as she walked through a town centre.

The woman was walking in the Northgate area of Darlington at about 2.30am today (Wednesday, July 6).

Police were alerted by Darlington Council’s CCTV control room that a man appeared to be following the woman.

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A Durham Police spokesperson said: “He appeared to be following a lone woman as she walked through the town – he was keeping his distance, but following her exact movements, crossing roads, and going through subways.

“We immediately deployed officers to the scene where we safeguarded the woman, who was completely unaware she was being followed.”

An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

On Wednesday afternoon he was in police custody.

The woman is now receiving appropriate support, a police spokesperson said.

Inspector Dean Haythornthwaite, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “We want everyone to feel safe when they come to Darlington and will not tolerate any form of harassment, inappropriate behaviour, or sexual offending.

“Over the last year, we have carried out a significant amount of work with Darlington Borough Council to help keep people safe, while making the streets a more hostile place for people looking to commit these offences. This is a prime example of that work in practice.

“Another way in which we are helping to keep people safe is the deployment of extra police officers in the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights to specifically protect vulnerable people and deal with issues of predatory behaviour at any of the town centre pubs and clubs.

“We are also continuing our personal safety classes for women and girls at the Dolphin Centre, which have been well received by those who have attended.

“Our message to people is simple – if you are coming to Darlington to commit these types of offences, you are not wanted in this town and we will not tolerate your behaviour.”

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Councillor Mike Renton, Darlington Council’s cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “This is the latest example of our CCTV control room staff working in partnership with the police to get results and to ensure the town is safe for everyone.

“We are currently upgrading our CCTV system and working with the police on a number of projects to help ensure people can enjoy living, working and visiting our town.

“The message is clear – we will not tolerate any behaviour that prevents people enjoying being in Darlington and will work tireless to ensure everyone feels safe.”

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