Over 70 vehicles were stopped on Monday, October 16, by police in South Cumbria, with three arrests made.

The day of action was a part of Operation Checkpoint, which is designed to prevent and tackle rural acquisitive crime, wildlife and poaching offences.

During the day and evening, officers conducted 10 person and vehicle searches out of the drivers they stopped.

Chief Inspector Lee Skelton, Cumbria Constabulary’s Rural Crime Lead, said: “We are not slowing down in our efforts to make Cumbria a hostile environment for those that live in Cumbria or travel here and commit crime."

The team made three arrests with one for going equipped and theft of a motor vehicle, one for failing to stop for police and another for a positive drugs wipe.

Two stolen vehicles were recovered near Houghton and Appleby with investigations ongoing and a further vehicle was uplifted for having no tax.