Op Checkpoint
Op Checkpoint

Officers made four arrests as part of efforts to disrupt criminality in rural areas.

Operation Checkpoint returned on Saturday night (16 November) with officers working with other police forces which border Cumbria.

The largest rural crime operation of its kind in the UK, Operation Checkpoint sees several police forces in the North of England working collaboratively to prevent and tackle rural acquisitive crime, wildlife and poaching offences.

In Cumbria, 60 vehicles were proactively stopped as part of the operation – with police carrying out routine checks on anything that roused suspicion.

14 vehicles were searched with two vehicles seized by officers. During the night’s activity, eight people were subject of stop and search powers.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of driving whilst under the influence of drugs. All three were released pending further enquiries.

Officers also arrested an 18-year-old man, from Attleborough, on suspicion of burglary following an incident committed elsewhere in the country.

Cumbria Police are committed to targeting travelling rural criminals and are keen to encourage people to report suspicious activity.

Sergeant Amanda McKirdy, Cumbria Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team, said: “We work closely with our bordering forces with this initiative which sees us work together to tackle rural crime.

“We are committed to targeting travelling rural criminals and are keen to encourage people to report suspicious activity.

“Rural crime offenders will cross county boundaries to commit their crimes in their attempt to evade detection. By sharing information and taking action, we are actively disrupting criminal activity which in turn makes our rural communities a safer place.

“We will continue to take part in such operations to ensure that offenders are identified and brought to justice.”

Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “Working with neighbouring forces to tackle rural crime is incredibly important to ensure that criminals get far with their stolen goods.

“Cumbria is predominately rural so protecting our more isolated communities and businesses is a priority – not just for myself and the Constabulary, but also for the public as well.

“Op Checkpoint is a regular operation that we are involved in, alongside other local work to prevent and reduce rural crime.

“I hope that the public feel reassured by this work to keep them, their families and their homes safe.”

You can report information online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it or you can call 101. In an emergency or if you witness a crime in action, please call 999.

To report information completely anonymously, contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.