POLICE forces including Cumbria and North Yorkshire have joined together to tackle travelling criminals in the north of England.

The second Operation Checkpoint, which took place yesterday, saw officers from six forces work together to clamp down on offenders who operate in counties around the border.

“After the success of the first Operation Checkpoint we were all keen to keep working closely together to tackle thefts from rural communities,” said Inspector Richard Quinn, of Cumbria Constabulary.

“Criminals don’t recognise boundaries, and it is important we recognise this and continue to work across force boundaries to prevent and deter crime.”

Officers were also joined by members of the roads policing teams, the Special Constabulary, dog handlers and PCSOs.

The aim of the day was to gather intelligence in a bid to prevent or disrupt criminal activity.

Police also provided a high-visibility presence to ‘reassure local communities’.

Throughout the day they targeted known criminals and their vehicles, along with other vehicles seen in suspicious circumstances, which they stopped and searched.

In Cumbria police stopped 66 vehicles, while an Automatic Number Plate Recognition vehicle flagged up another 14.
 

In North Yorkshire 25 cars were stopped, 15 were searched and six people were arrested for drugs offences, driving while disqualified, possession of a weapon and money laundering.

“It’s good to see this joint initiative going from strength to strength and building on the success of the first operation,” said North Yorkshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable, Paul Kennedy.

“It provides an excellent opportunity to enhance and support our ongoing Operation Hawk which was introduced last year to protect North Yorkshire’s rural communities from travelling criminals.

“By seizing the opportunity to work with our colleagues in neighbouring forces, we can build on our good working relationships and information sharing to target criminality.

“Criminals know no boundaries and yesterday’s show of force sends a clear message to the criminal fraternity that their activity will not be tolerated and we are all united with the aim of disrupting their behaviour and bringing them to justice, no matter where they choose to operate.”

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