POLICE have launched an operation in response to the hundreds of car break-ins in Darlington over the past two months.

Operation Caraway aims to catch the hard-core of opportunist thieves who are targeting vehicles in the town.

In this month alone there have been 115 raids on cars recorded by Darlington police.

Most of the vehicles targeted had property on view, including lap-top computers, sports bags and coats.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Weir said: "We are going to take action to catch these thieves, but we need the public's help.

"The thieves are not targeting radio cassettes but property which is not hidden away. Anything that is on show is a temptation to thieves. Even a plastic bag full of paper will be stolen just in case it could be something else.

"A lot of things that are stolen are of sentimental value, but will mean nothing to the thieves who are after money so they will just get thrown away."

Police believe most of the thefts are carried out by youths cycling around the town to find suitable targets.

Det Sgt Weir said: "These are not sophisticated crimes. In most cases a window is smashed or a lock broken.

"Even cars that are alarmed are targeted as the thieves can be well away before anyone reacts."

The police believe there is a hard-core of about 15 youths who are working in gangs to commit most of the thefts, which are happening to cars parked in people's drives as well as at the roadside.

Regular patrols are being mounted in "hot spot" areas to deter thieves, and undercover officers are hoping to catch them in the act.

One of the latest incidents was at the service station in North Road on Wednesday night. A woman who went to pay for petrol left her handbag in her unlocked car and it was stolen.

Det Sgt Weir said: "I am urging the public to work with us to stop these crimes. If people keep all property out of sight in their cars they are less likely to be targeted and these opportunist thieves will have nothing to steal."