THE top 100 suspected shoplifters in the region have been identified as part of a festive campaign to tackle shoplifters across the North-East region.

The North East Retail Crime Partnership (NERCP) has worked alongside forces in the region including Cleveland Police, to identify send persistent shoplifters across the area – and send them a festive message.

Sarah Dougherty, from the NERCP, said: “We’re running this initiative in partnership with North-East retailers and participating forces Cleveland, Durham and North Yorkshire in a bid to tackle the displacement of retail crime throughout the North-East region.

“The result of retailers and police working in partnership with each other... increases confidence and collaboration between the two, ultimately reducing crime and disorder.”

Detective Inspector Jason Dickson from Cleveland Police said: “Our message is clear; if you are caught shoplifting you will be dealt with and put before the courts. This campaign serves as a warning to criminals to think seriously as to whether they want to spend the festive season in a police cell.

“This regional work runs parallel with targeted work in the Cleveland area to protect businesses and the economy from the impact of shoplifting – it is definitely not a victimless crime.”