An operation which sees police forces working together to prevent and target rural crime was held last week.
Operation Checkpoint was held on Wednesday 1 May as part of a wider week of action targeting rural crime.
The operation seen officers from Cumbria, Northumbria, Durham, Cleveland, North Yorkshire and Police Scotland proactively stopping vehicles and carrying out routine checks.
Officers in Cumbria assisted from multiple departments including the Rural Crime Team, Roads Policing Unit, Roads Crime Unit, Dog Unit, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Response officers, Special Constabulary and Intelligence.
The operation was also support by eleven Rural Crime Volunteers supporting the eastern border
In Cumbria officers stopped 68 vehicles, which resulted in:
- Nine vehicle searches
- Two vehicles seized
- Seven people searched
- Two traffic offence reports submitted
- Two property seizures
- A 41-year-old man from Worchester was arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit. He was released on bail.
Officers on the operation also attended 12 incidents which included drone support with 19 intel report submitted.
Officers also had 28 positive engagements with individuals stopped by officer’s positive about the activities and visits to premises to offer crime prevention advice.
Speaking after the operation Sergeant Amanda McKirdy from the Rural Crime Team said “I hope that the continued commitment to activities such as Operation Checkpoint with our bordering forces is reassuring our communities.
“We are listening, and action is being taken. We had a number of positive engagements which is important to highlight to our communities we are being proactive in our response to criminal targeting out communities.
“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 to we can direct our resources accordingly.”
