CRIMINALS across east Cleveland face a "hammer" blow as police target thieves, trouble makers and thugs from today.

Under Operation Hammer, extra officers are being drafted in to form a special strike force to tackle known criminals and hit crime hot spots in the Langbaurgh force area.

The crackdown is expected to dovetail into the ongoing Operation Nightsafe, which already targets disorder around pubs and clubs.

Langbaurgh district commander Superintendent Ian Richards said: "It's about us being in the right place at the right time to target the minority of youngsters who are causing the trouble.

"Four key areas have been identified and those are the ones we are concentrating, but any information we receive will be used by officers to tackle the anti-social behaviour.

"We know the individuals who are mainly responsible for the yobbish behaviour that results in mindless violence and anti-social behaviour which can cause so many problems in our communities.

"A lot of it is linked with a drinking culture. If left unchecked, it does create a knock-on effect and a surge in criminal damage, violence and petty thefts."

He added: "We continually monitor our crime patterns and, where appropriate, action is taken. As a result of recent increases we are moving to target those responsible."

The police are urging residents to act as their eyes and ears by providing them with additional information that could be used to tackle the problems.

Supt Richards said: "The patrols that will go out and operate under Hammer and Nightsafe will be well briefed, but that extra information could prove vital.

"We know who the main troublemakers on the estates are and they will be our prime targets. They will be identified and arrested."

The operation will involve a combination of police and community support officers who will be patrolling the targeted areas when the worst level of offending is occurring.

Councillor Joyce Benbow, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet member for community safety, said: "We will continue to support police operations by providing them with intelligence gathered by our services whilst also working closely with our CCTV control room.

"Hopefully, the operation will prevent problems occurring in the first place, but by having this additional resource on the streets, those choosing to ignore the advice will be dealt with quickly."