Newton Aycliffe Police are blaming drug addicts for a spate of petty crime.
Police say the heroin-addicted youngsters, who are often in need of cash to buy drugs, are behind thefts from cars and clothes from washing lines.
About half a dozen cars in the area have had their wheel trims stolen in the past fortnight, which are often sold on at car boot sales. Police also say washing lines are being targeted by thieves, often on the lookout for designer clothing.
PC Tony Burn, of Newton Aycliffe Police, said: "These people are often druggies that will take anything to give them a fix. A lot of them are young people who have no means to feed their habit other than to steal."
Police say that car owners should mark on the inside of their wheel trims their car registration number to make them less attractive to sell on.
Anyone with information about a theft should call police on (01325) 314401.
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