[O]fficers from across the region took part in a major operation last night (May 3rd 2018) to tackle cross-county rural crime.
Cumbria Police officers joined those from Cleveland, Durham, Lancashire, Northumbria and North Yorkshire as part of Operation Checkpoint.
The operation, which is regularly conducted, targets organised crime groups who travel throughout the region committing crime such as theft and burglary, particularly in rural areas.
In Cumbria, more than 150 vehicles were stopped and numerous fixed penalties given out for a variety of traffic offences. Such proactive work helps keep the county’s roads safe and reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.
There was also an arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and a cannabis warning was issued.
Those involved include police officers, PCSOs, Special Constabulary officers, and Farmwatch volunteers.
Acting Inspector Gaynor Taylor said: “Operation Checkpoint is a very successful collaboration between police forces in the north west and north east regions.
“Operations such as this are vital in not only disrupting criminals who travel across county borders, but in gaining intelligence by engaging with the rural communities. Yesterday, engagement with the public was really positive – we gave crime prevention advice in areas that had been targeted by criminals, and gained lots of valuable intelligence from the vehicle stops.
“Targeting rural crime and keeping people safe are priorities for the neighbourhood policing teams in Cumbria, and the successes of this operation are not just down to our officers but also the volunteers who give up their own time to come out on a cold November evening to do their bit for their community.
“If anyone is interested in volunteering for future operations, or would like some information on the many volunteer opportunities with Cumbria Police, please get in touch via our website.”
Commenting on the results of the Operation, Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “I have experienced these operations first hand and they are an excellent example of communities and police working across county borders to capture criminals.”
Anyone interested in volunteering or becoming an active member of Farmwatch should contact the Constabulary’s Citizens in Policing department. More: www.citizensinpolicing.net/police-forces/cumbria-constabulary
