Man arrested and suspected stolen items seized following vehicle crime spate in Wallsend

A man has been arrested and a stash of suspected stolen items seized following a vehicle crime spate.

An investigation has been ongoing since officers received four reports of theft from motor vehicles in the Wallsend area of Newcastle during September.

An offender targeted a string of parked vehicles and made off with a range of stolen property including tools, cash and electronic equipment.

Neighbourhood officers carryied out a full investigation since the reports, and upon identifying a prime suspect, they carried out a search of an affiliated address in the Felling area of Gateshead.

Inside, police uncovered a haul of suspected stolen property including a purse, rucksack and camera valued at £300.

The property has been seized and enquiries are ongoing to locate their rightful owners.

A 29-year-old man has since been arrested in connection with the crime spate.

Read Newcastle’s news on the go with our free email newsletters - bringing the headlines to your inbox. Catch up on the day’s news and sport and enjoy even more from the NewcastleWorld team. Visit our website here to find out more and sign up.

Inspector David Simpson, of Northumbria Police, said: “We know that vehicle crime can have a significant and detrimental impact on not only victims and their families, but the wider community as a whole.

“That’s why our officers carry out targeted patrols in order to tackle crime spikes and identify the minority of people who look to inflict misery on others.

“Following this particular crime spate in Wallsend, we have carried out a wide range of enquiries in order to identify a suspect – and that diligent work led us to another address in Gateshead where we located a stash of items that we believe were stolen.

“We will not tolerate vehicle crime and will continue to use every tactic at our disposal in order to bring offenders to justice.”

He added: “We know that some opportunistic thieves go street to street trying car or house doors in the hope that one has been left open. If they are locked, they tend to just move on to the next street.

“Our neighbourhood officers will continue to carry out increased patrols in identified areas – but as ever, we’d ask everyone to please take a second to ensure their doors are locked and any valuables kept out of sight.