CHRISTMAS CRACKDOWN; Peddlers nabbed in stolen goods raids.

Byline: By ROB PATTINSON

POLICE swooped on crooks handling stolen goods.

Search teams targeted a Gateshead house and a secondhand store in the West End of Newcastle yesterday as part of Operation Jingle, being conducted in the run-up to Christmas.

Yesterday morning suspected handlers in the Croft Estate, Ryton, Gateshead, received an early wake-up call from officers with a warrant to search a house and shed.

A 58-year-old man was arrested and bailed on suspicion of peddling stolen cigarettes.

At the same time police paid a visit to a second-hand shop, where knocked-off goods were suspected of being channelled from crooks to unwitting buyers, in Benwell. A sat-nav system was immediately traced back to a reported theft.

Gateshead Outer West Neighbourhood Sgt Dave Carruthers vowed his team would continue to target thieves by acting on intelligence from the community. Sgt Carruthers said: "The aim of this operation is to target those taking in stolen property. As long as they continue to do it we will continue to take effective action.

"As well as tracking down thieves, we believe taking out the middle men will cut back the marketplace where they are currently selling stolen goods.

"We would like to reassure the majority of residents, who abide by the law, that we are working to tackle the perpetrators of this kind of crime, especially at this time of year."

In another festive drive, career crooks, also in Benwell, were targeted.

Officers have made five arrests and seized stolen property and drugs after searches at homes in Adelaide Terrace, Dolphin Court, Joan Street, Ladykirk Road and Gill Street, all Benwell.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing amphetamine at Adelaide Terrace and was bailed pending further inquiries.

A 30-year-old man was taken from Dolphin Court on suspicion of possessing amphetamine with intent to supply and bailed, while at Joan Street, a 21-year-old man was arrested for possession of cannabis resin. Gavin Page has also been charged with producing cannabis, and will appear at the city's magistrates' court on December 11.

Stephen Page, 22, of Ladykirk Road, has been charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply. He is due to go before magistrates on December 11.

Michelle Decarteret, 32, of Gill Street, has been charged with handling stolen goods and will make an appearance in court on December 15.

Stolen satellite navigation systems were recovered during the raids, as well as quantities of amphetamine and cannabis.

Benwell Neighbourhood Sgt Barrie Joisce said people can expect the operation to continue over the coming weeks.

He added: "It's aimed at targeting those who are believed to be involved in theft, burglary and the associated supply and possession of drugs. It was carried out in response to concerns raised in the local community."

CAPTION(S):

SEARCH: Police swooped on a home in Ryton as part of Operation Jingle yesterday; ACTION: Police search a shed in Ryton and go into a shop in Benwell. Right, Sgt Dave Carruthers