A criminal record of a different kind has been made by a Stockton police officer, in an attempt to cut burglary and theft at Christmas.

Inspector Eric Robinson of Cleveland Police has re-recorded Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, with a crime-cracking message.

The new songs, Have Yourself a Crime Free Happy Christmas and Christmas Thieves Are Coming to Town, will be played in shopping centres throughout Stockton.

Mr Robinson, community affairs officer in the town, said: "They didn't take long to write.

Christmas dangers

"Inspiration came, in part, from official Home Office posters which will be used this year in a nationwide campaign to keep gifts under wraps," he said.

"A lot of people are going Christmas shopping, and leaving presents in cars, and leaving their houses and gardens unattended.

"I want these songs to be played in shops and possibly on the radio to remind people of the dangers of getting their homes and gardens broken into."

Backing tracks were made and Mr Robinson went into a studio in Redcar to finish things off.

The tunes have been put onto a compact disc which will be played in stores in the Stockton, Yarm and Billingham areas.

There will also be a leaflet and postcard campaign to back up the CD's message.