A CRACKDOWN on shoplifters in a town centre has led to 23 arrests.

The move has been welcomed by Bishop Auckland traders who lose thousands of pounds every year to theft and fraud.

Detectives and uniformed officers from Bishop Auckland police station have been mounting anti-shoplifting patrols during the past two weeks. They targeted shoplifters by working with store staff to chart suspects' movements by radio.

All those arrested have been charged and will face court appearances. Four were from Hartlepool, and the rest were from the Bishop Auckland area.

Detective Constable Neil Jones said: "We are pleased with the results so far, because we have averaged 12 arrests a week.

"It is a concerted effort with the traders involving four officers a day.

"Some retailers might feel that we don't take retail crime seriously but it is something that we are prepared to tackle.

"Shoplifting and credit card fraud are important issues because they cost the businesses a lot of money."

Bishop Auckland Chamber of Trade chairman Margaret Ellis urged local magistrates to take a tough line with offenders.

She said: "Shoplifters cost retailers a tremendous amount of money and we support any action like this."