UNDERCOVER stake-out operations are to be launched to catch identity thieves preying on a town.

Hidden video surveillance cameras will film thieves at work, rooting through bin bags for personal documents which could be used to unlock and clean out entire bank accounts.

These scavengers can receive up to £20 a time for an unshredded bank account.

The documents are handed over to criminals who carry out scams using the stolen data.

Even utility company bills can be used as a proof of identity.

The names of two bag slashing suspects have repeatedly come up during investigations by Middlesbrough Council enforcement officers.

And The Northern Echo can reveal that plans to catch them red-handed, using sophisticated monitoring equipment, are being finalised for an operation within the next two weeks.

Information for the crackdown has been provided by bin crews, street sweepers and street wardens.

A thief's favourite ground is the grid pattern of terraced streets criss-crossing central Middlesbrough. In their maze of back lanes, the scavengers can go to work hidden from prying eyes.

They know all the various refuse collection days across the town and, with the bins of between 10,000 and 12,000 homes being emptied daily, have virtual free reign.

Residents frequently throwing out unshredded bank, mortgage, loan and hire purchase statements, utility bills complete with names and address and even catalogue club numbers. And they put their rubbish out the night before the bins are to be emptied.

Enforcement team officers in the last few days have recovered an unsigned bank card carelessly thrown out for the bin men - together with an accompanying pin number.

"Some people may as well put up a sign saying 'burgle my home'. It's almost like leaving the keys in the door,'' said Dr Anthony Luke, who is drawing up details for the surveillance operations.

He is principal officer with Middlesbrough Council's community protection services.

His boss, Councillor Barry Coppinger, said: "Identity thieves are like predators and the only way to thwart them is to cut off their food supply.

"If people protected themselves by shredding documents and by keeping their waste under wraps until it is due to be collected, the identity thieves they have nothing to prey on.''