POLICE are warning shoplifters they could spend Christmas behind bars.

Durham Police’s newly formed Retail Crime Team is cracking down on shop thieves in the countdown to the festive season.

They are working with shop workers to spot crooks and carrying out uniformed and undercover patrols of Durham city centre.

Officers say they will make arrests, carry out stop and search and direct individuals to move on as appropriate, along with posting photographs of shoplifters on the neighbourhood policing team’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Sergeant Mark Garfoot, who leads the Retail Crime Team, said: “Tackling the ongoing problem of crime in city centre shops and those in the surrounding villages is a major priority for us.

“We know that it’s a cause for concern for local people and so we have plans in place to address those concerns.

“While the team has only been in place for a few weeks, it has already had some quick successes with a number of arrests and successful court convictions already.

“We’ve also managed to recover several stolen items and return them to their rightful owners.

“Our message is very clear: if you come to Durham to shoplift, not only will we catch you, but you can look forward to spending Christmas in prison.”

To report a crime, call Durham Police on the non-emergency number, 101.