A POLICE campaign to deter shoplifters in Bishop Auckland led to more than a dozen people being brought before the courts.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) carried out Operation Indiana between November 19 and January 5 and detected 14 thefts.

Officers patrolled the town centre and advised shop owners to be vigilant.

Sergeant Dave Hancock, from the Bishop Auckland NPT, said: “This has been a really successful joint operation involving ourselves and our retail traders.

“The feedback from retailers and members of the public has been very positive, they noted our increased presence and felt reassured by the measures we were putting in place.”