ALMOST 40 people have been arrested during the first month of a crackdown on shoplifting.

Police say warning messages reminding thieves that they are being watched are going up around Durham City and police patrols are to be stepped up as the campaign continues in the run-up to Christmas.

The campaign was launched last month to deter shoplifting during the popular shopping destination’s busiest time of the year.

PC Mark Garfoot said: “We know that retail crime increases before Christmas when the city centre is at its busiest.

“This year we have a designated team of officers who are specifically targeting shoplifters and they have already had some good results, with 82 per cent of offences in the past month solved”.

He added: “There will be plain-clothed and uniformed patrols running throughout December.

“We’re also using signs positioned across the City to make it as clear as possible to thieves who target our retailers that we are watching them.

“Our plan is straight forward; we are doing everything possible to make Durham a no-go area for criminals this Christmas.”