A police operation to curb town centre crime in Dovercourt during Christmas has been hailed a success.

Operation Christmas Cracker was launched in the town in December to help reduce shop theft and disorder over the busy trading time.

Extra foot patrols were placed in the town to give a higher police profile for the operation.

And Christmas Cracker proved so successful that traders are calling for it to be a permanent tactic in the main shopping area.

Sgt Peter Wood, of Harwich police, said: "Operation Christmas Cracker was a huge success and we believe that it actually helped to reduce crime levels during December," he said.

"I've been talking to traders and they have certainly appreciated it - people have liked seeing the foot patrols."

Michael Reeder, assistant town centre manager, agreed the operation had benefited businesses and customers alike.

He said: "As far as I was concerned the foot patrols were a huge success, they reassured customers as well as traders and there was a good comradeship between police on the beat and people in the town, it was just like old times."

Published Monday January 14, 2002