POLICING operations have taken place in air and sea ports across Cumbria this week as officers joined a national campaign to prevent crime and terrorism.

Cumbria Police, along with Border Force and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), carried out operational activities at Barrow, Maryport and Workington sea ports, and Walney Island airfield.

The week’s activity, which was co-ordinated nationally by the National Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters (NCTPHQ), saw officers give briefings to employees working in the ports, including the Royal Navy, advising them on what they should be looking out for to help tackle the threat of terrorism and serious organised crime.

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Officers, including dog handlers, and partner agencies, also targeted the illegal passage of cash, weapons, drugs, goods, fuel and people through the county’s ports.

Detective Sergeant Peter Goulston said: “This level of activity is not out of the ordinary and operations like this highlight the work we do and how we work closely with partners to secure our border, to protect people.

“Cumbria has a variety of small airfields and sea ports. There are three commercial sea ports at Barrow, Workington and Silloth.

“There is a growing commercial airport at Carlisle, and a large number of small air strips and small marinas which all present an opportunity for criminal or terrorist exploitation, as well as affording facilities to legitimate businesses and ports users.

“During this week we have focused on people driving in and out of the port to ensure their vehicles are road worthy, we have checked the diesel being used is legal, and have searched vehicles transporting goods.

“We have also searched a cargo ship at Workington and intercepted a plane landing at Walney airfield. Fortunately, there was no criminal activity detected.

“This doesn’t mean that on any other given week we won’t find people attempting to use the ports for criminal purposes, and they should know that this is not tolerated within Cumbria.”

He added: “We will always search vessels when there is a need to do so. We get commercial ships coming into our ports from all over the world, carrying cargo for industry and businesses here and further afield.

“Their crews can be from a variety of different countries, from Turkey to Russia to North Africa, and Police and other agencies will check to see that they are operating legally.”