Operation Malone results in suspected burglary arrests in Stockton

The men, aged 43 and 48, were detained by officers from the proactive team who were conducting patrols in and around Wellington Square.

At 11pm on Thursday 27 June reports were received by Stockton Borough Council’s CCTV operators who had spotted the men looking in numerous vehicles.

The offices deployed to the area and quickly detained the pair.

Following searches, one of the men was found to be in possession of a knife and a pair of pliers.

They were both arrested on suspicion of burglary, attempted theft from a motor vehicle, possession of a knife and going equipped to steal and taken to custody for questioning.

The activity forms part of Stockton’s proactive team’s summer crime crackdown under Operation Malone. It involves regular patrols throughout the day and night targeting people suspected of committing a variety of crimes that cause concern to members of the public.

Sergeant Darren Williamson said: “Operation Malone has had some significant results during its first month of activity.

“There has been numerous information reported in relation to drug dealing activity which is in the early stages of being developed to be acted upon in the future. As well as stop searches leading to positive results for the recovery of drugs and weapons, the seizure of off-road vehicles and arrests of individuals for various offences.

“We have been working jointly with our partners on some of the information that has been provided to us. I hope the public feel reassured that officers are deploying to hot spot areas to tackle specific crimes with the recent results so far being encouraging.”

If you have information on a crime or suspicious activity, please call Cleveland Police on 101 or alternatively if reticent to come forward, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.