A cross-border police operation targeting rural crime has resulted in vehicle stops, searches, and arrests.

Operation Checkpoint, which was carried out on February 29, involved officers across Cumbria participating in a week of action organised by Northumbria Police with cops from the Northeast and Scotland.

It was part of the wider Operation Lantern to target rural crime within Cumbria and prevent and disrupt serious and organised rural acquisitive crime.

Police worked together to gain intelligence about rural crime, deterring offending, and keeping the roads safe, a Cumbria police spokesperson said.

During the op, police in Cumbria stopped 41 vehicles, searching six of them and 10 people.

Two ‘traffic offence reports’ were submitted with five vehicles uplifted – two for not having tax, one for a Section 165 (relating to documentation), and the other two were seized after involvement in ‘crime’.

Three arrests were made, one for theft of a motor vehicle and drug offences near Carlisle, and two near Penrith on suspicion of theft of a trailer, driving offences, obstruction, and police assault.

All three men are from out of the county and have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Sergeant Amanda McKirdy, from Cumbria Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team, said: “We are not slowing down in our efforts to make Cumbria a hostile environment for those that travel here to commit crime.”

Partners and officers across Cumbria joined the Rural Crime Team including those from Response, Neighbourhood Policing, Tactical Support Group, Road Crime Unit and Cumbria’s dog section, she said, and added: “As well as stopping a number of vehicles we also submitted 12 pieces of intelligence, which help us build a bigger picture.

“I hope that the activity we have been undertaking is reassuring our communities that we are listening to them, and action is being taken.

“We will continue to show contempt for all types of rural crime and those criminals intent on committing it.

“However, we continue to need the support of our rural communities, this area is under-reported and we encourage our communities to be vigilant and report any crimes and any suspicious activity so we can direct our resources accordingly.”

Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, commended the work of the police to bring criminals to justice and said: “A clear illustration if it were needed that we have an effective police force dedicated to bearing down on criminals who may mistakenly think they can operate in our county and rural areas.

“We are now starting to really see and feel the effect of the increased officer numbers which have enabled us to establish the Rural Crime Team who together with Roads and Neighbourhood Policing teams are tackling criminals hard to make our communities even safer.

“Our rural areas may be extensive but they are policed and with the help of residents we will continue to keep them safe but a hostile environment for crime and criminals.”