Robberies and street crime in a Teesside town have fallen by more than 40% since a new squad was set up. The drop is in the first four months since the seven-strong team of detectives started in Middlesbrough.
Between February and May 2004 there were 188 offences recorded compared to 319 between February and May 2003.
The unit targets known offenders through intelligence-led policing and officers also research and investigate reports of all robberies.
Detective Superintendent Keith Dee from the Robbery Squad said: "I believe our success is because we are successfully targeting the criminals committing these types of offences.
Malicious reports
"The individuals or gangs responsible for offences that have such an impact on the quality of decent and law abiding people in Middlesbrough cannot go unpunished and we will be relentless in our pursuit of these criminals."
The team has also been tackling malicious robbery reports.
Mr Dee said: "Sometimes malicious reports of robbery are made to police and these are initially recorded as a crime.
"However after thorough investigation we have been able to prove these offences have not taken place and we have charged people who have done this with perverting the course of justice."
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