Newton Aycliffe police have “named and shamed” people who’ve been charged with shoplifting in the town centre as part of a tough new approach.
Officers have also banned a number of young people from the town centre as reports of antisocial behaviour give cause for concern.
A police statement said: “Newton Aycliffe town centre is private land and anyone banned from there will be trespassing, including in the multi-storey car park.
“We would like to thank the town centre management and security staff for their help in dealing with these problems and making the shopping area a safer place.”
John George Kinsella has been jailed for four weeks after he admitted three charges of shoplifting that occurred on October 14, while Michelle Burns has been charged with four offences of shoplifting dating October 22.
The statement added: “Persons who shoplift from retail premises in Newton Aycliffe will be targeted by police and this behaviour will not be tolerated.
“The Neighbourhood Policing Team will be patrolling the town as well as the towns security team and we will be stopping known offenders and suspicious persons from damaging our local retailers.
“Offenders will be named and shamed.”
